Antique Old World Map by Frederick de Wit, c. 1680 Towel

Vintage illustration antique world map featuring both hemispheres, c. 1680. By cartographer Frederick de Wit (1629/30-1706). Frederick de Wit (also seen as Frederic, Frederik, Frederico, Fredericus. de Witt and de Widt) was a dutch print and map seller. Terrarum Orbis. This antique map features the Eastern and Western Hemispheres as well as the north and south poles. The baroque style illustrations in the corners represent the four elements: Fire with Pluto carrying off Persephone, attended by Cerberus, the three-headed guardian of Hades, as a battle scene rages in the background; Air as the heavenly realm ruled by Zeus and Hera, who are surrounded by winged creatures and other gods; Water with the sea god Neptune, mermen, a spouting whale, and sailing ships in the distance; and Earth represented by a scene with fauns presenting three goddesses with fruits of the harvest and livestock.