This engraving, from François Valentijn’s seminal work Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën, is a detailed urban plan of Jaffna (Jafnapatnam), a key colonial port in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka. The plan provides a meticulous view of the city, highlighting its grid-like street layout and the prominent star-shaped fort. The illustration also shows the surrounding land, filled with trees, and the adjacent sea, with numerous ships dotting the harbor. The work serves as a valuable historical record of a Dutch colonial city in the early 18th century.

François Valentijn was a Dutch minister, naturalist, and historian, primarily known for his extensive work Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën (Old and New East-India). This monumental five-volume work was a comprehensive survey of the Dutch East Indies and included detailed descriptions of the geography, customs, and natural history of the region. His work is considered a cornerstone of early Western ethnography and cartography of Asia.

Artist or Maker: François Valentijn

Dimensions: Approximately 25 x 18 cm

Medium: Engraving

Date: 1724-1726

Condition Report:

This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.

Estimate	300 - 400 SEK
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26 François Valentijn (1666–1727) – Plan of Jaffna – Engraving (1724-1726)