Handcoloured Engraving of Samboepo in Gowa Sultanate, Indonesia by François Valentijn from his Opus Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indien, 1724

18th century view of the city of Fort Somba Opu (Makassarese Baruga Somba Opu), the Indonesian fortified commercial centre of the Gowa Sultanate. Its ruins are located in Makassar, on the island of Celebes (Sulawesi) in today’s Indonesia. The fort was the centre of the Gowa Sultanate in the 16th century until its destruction by the Dutch East India Company in 1669. The conquest of Somba Opu citadel was one of the most difficult campaigns the Company had ever undertaking in the East. This shows buildings, roads, rice fields and ships in the foreground.

Text below: Afbeeldinge van de Fortificatien en de Verdere Gelegentheden soo van de Beslooten Plaatsen en Wooningen des Konings van Ma Casser… (translated, Depictions of the Fortifications and Further Occasions as well as the Private Places and Residences of the King of Macassar). An index gives points of interest.

The engraving has original book folds and two small marks. Otherwise, it is in very good condition with attractive bright colours.

François Valentijn (1666-1727), a missionary, worked at Amboina from 1684 to 1694 and 1705 to 1713 and travelled extensively in the territory of the Dutch V.O.C. (Dutch East India Company). He is best known for his monumental history and description “Oud en Nieuw Oost-Indiën” which provides a detailed overview of the history of the Dutch East India Company, and which remains one of the most important primary sources for the East Indies and neighbouring lands. It was printed in 1724 and only republished in 2003/2004, breaking the clause in Valentijn‘s will that the work should never be republished.