17th c. “Vaisseau” Copperplate Engraving

This 17th-century copperplate engraving depicts a French warship (Vaisseau), taken from Allain Manesson Mallet’s celebrated Description de l’Univers (Paris, 1683). The ship is shown in full rigging with cannons lining its hull, a richly ornamented stern, and banners flying, with a bustling port city in the background. Mallet used precise lettering to identify various elements of the ship’s construction, underscoring its role both as a scientific study and as a decorative work of art.

Mallet (1630–1706), an engineer, cartographer, and military officer under Louis XIV, published Description de l’Univers as a vast illustrated survey of the known world. His engravings — produced by the copperplate technique — are admired for their intricate linework, clarity, and balance between technical documentation and aesthetic embellishment. Today, they remain prized artifacts of early modern cartography, naval history, and printmaking.

Origin: France, 1683 (published in Description de l’Univers).
Material: Copperplate engraving on laid paper.
Framing: Presented in a later (vintage) custom wooden frame with double matting.
Dimensions: approx. 5" x 7" (sheet size varies slightly; later matted/framed).
Condition: Very good antique condition with light toning and minor handling wear consistent with age.