Mapping the past

Dubai gallery displays original ancient maps of the region

A Dubai gallery is showing original, old and beautifully detailed maps of the region. The documents clearly prove how important the Middle East was to European cartographers even hundreds of years ago.

Showcase Antiques Art & Frames, an expert in the sourcing and restoration of local and European antiques and artefacts, is displaying 25 original maps at present. Many of them describe the Arabian Peninsula.

Another 13 are expected to come in on Thursday. Around 70 per cent of the maps are on sale, the others are from private collections.

"The maps are sourced from Kay Huidekoper-Cope, an English lady who now lives and works in The Netherlands. She has lived in Saudi Arabia for 25 years and knows the region well. She sells maps across the world and is known as the Map Lady," says Anne Cudmore, manager, Showcase Antiques Art & Frames.

Huidekoper-Cope, in turn, gets the maps largely from the UK, The Netherlands and France. They have been drawn by famous cartographers such as Tallis, Vaugondy, Thomas, D'anville and Mercator.

"The oldest map we had was dated 1606 and showed the Turkish Empire. It has already been sold," says Cudmore.

"The oldest we have right now is a map of the Middle East, including Turkey, from the Atlas Historique published in Amsterdam in 1719 by Henri Abraham Chatelain. The Historique was a seven-volume encyclopaedia of maps and prints," she details.

The exhibition has generated a lot of interest, Cudmore points out. "There are many serious collectors of antique maps in Dubai. The citizens are interested because the maps are a piece of their history, they show how the region has developed through centuries.

"The expatriates are also interested because when they leave, they want to take home a memory. You cannot always pack an antique door or a chest. An old map is a good thing to take away with you. Plus, maps are particularly good investment."

The maps in the gallery are priced between Dh1,500 and Dh12,000. The price depends on age, rarity, condition, framing, workmanship, colouring and on who the cartographer was.

Among the maps to arrive on Thursday is one dated 1822. Drawn by Bruce, it shows the routes taken by Alexander the Great in this region.

Showcase Antiques Art & Frames, standing opposite the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, is also showing old and original maps of other regions, as well as prints. The gallery is open from 10.00am to 1.00pm and again from 4.00pm to 8.00pm on weekdays. Friday closed. The antique map exhibition runs until September 30.