Moluccas, Spice Islands – Willem Blaeu, c. 1645

SEA CHART OF THE SPICE ISLANDS

“Moluccae insulae celeberrimae” [The most famous Moluccan islands], copper engraving published by Willem Blaeu in Amsterdam around 1645. Coloured by a later hand. Size: 37.5 × 48.5 cm.

This elegant sea chart of the northern Moluccas – the famed Spice Islands – is based on the descriptions of Dutch explorer Jan Huyghen van Linschoten. It shows the islands of Ternate, Tidore, Moti (“Motir”), Mare (here named “Pottebackers Eyland”), Machian, and Bachian. For centuries, these islands were the exclusive source of cloves and were of great importance to the global spice trade.

Along the lower edge of the map, one can see the northern coast of Halmahera, at the time labelled “Gilolo”. The sea is filled with European and local sailing vessels, as well as imaginative sea monsters – a typical feature of 17th-century maps to suggest uncharted or mysterious waters. In the lower right corner, a Moluccan couple is depicted in Europeanised costume.

Even before European presence, the region was a vibrant area of trade and piracy. The map shows several forts built during the period of European colonisation. The first Europeans to settle in the area were the Portuguese. In 1522–1523 they built Fort Kastela (on the map, ‘Gammalame’) on Ternate, with the approval of the local sultan. At the time, the Sultanate of Ternate included the islands of Ternate, Machian, Mare, and Motir. Relations between the Portuguese and the local population were tense, and cooperation collapsed completely after the Portuguese murdered Sultan Hairun in 1570. In 1575, the Portuguese were expelled under the leadership of Sultan Baabullah.

This anti-Portuguese sentiment on many of the depicted islands created space for new colonial powers. In the 17th century, the islands were colonised by both the Spanish and the Dutch, who often collaborated with local rulers to secure their trade interests. In 1607 the Dutch East India Company (VOC) established a base on Ternate and built Fort Malayo. The Company’s influence steadily grew, which also led to resistance among the population. In 1679 Sultan Sibori Amsterdam made a failed attempt to regain the independence of Ternate. After his defeat, the sultanate became a vassal state of the VOC.

The VOC also tightened its grip on the Sultanate of Tidore. In 1657 the Dutch supported the rise to power of Sultan Saifuddin, who in return granted them a monopoly on the spice trade. Over the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, the Dutch continued to strengthen their position in the region. Although many of the islands retained their own rulers and were not technically Dutch colonies, they functioned as vassal states, with the region being under near-total economic, political, and military control by the VOC.

From the text on the reverse of the map, we gain insight into how the Dutch of the mid-17th century viewed the region and its inhabitants. In the words of Willem Blaeu:

“The climate is hot, humid, and unhealthy: rain showers fall without warning from clear skies. Yet the land produces many aromatic substances: various nuts, myrtle, mastic resin, flaxseed, sandalwood, ginger, pepper, and cloves. As for food, the inhabitants live modestly; they eat millet, wheat, fruits, and other crops the land provides, though in their idleness they grow little. The clove tree grows best on Machian and Ternate, spreading slowly—somewhat less vigorously on Tidore and Motir.

These trees grow in the higher parts of the islands, which are almost constantly soaked by rain, at about half a mile’s distance from the shore. They bear glossy leaves, similar to those of the laurel but smaller. Their flowers are white and emit a fragrance like lilies. When the blossoms fall, the clove bud appears, which is first green, then turns red, and finally dries to black. The fruit is edible but rarely consumed unless fully ripe. The harvest season varies; on some islands it occurs when the sun sets in June, July, August, and September, during the southeast winds.

Other trees are also found there, similar to the cinnamon tree of Ceylon, and are used as cinnamon. The fruits of the clove tree, once ripe, are dried in the sun and then processed or stored. The bark of some trees is used as cinnamon. Other spices that grow there include ginger, cardamom, and nutmeg.

They follow the religion of Muhammad. By nature, they are rather gentle, very sociable, and easily won over. They are not stubborn and live peacefully within their towns and societies. Yet with neighbouring islanders and other nearby peoples, they are often quarrelsome and warlike. They themselves are not easily conquered, while other islanders submit to them. Among warriors, the people of Ternate are most praised for their courage, military skill, and fierce spirit.

In times of war, they consider swimming and diving the safest escape, even against armed opponents. Their defensive gear consists of a helmet and a shield. The helmet is made of woven palm twigs or tree bark, adorned with iron or brass points. The shields are very light, made of wood, square or oblong, sometimes two fingers thick, and heavy at both ends. They are wielded with great skill. They usually fight with spears, which they handle expertly, and carry swords. Battles begin with arrows and javelins; then they close in using small boats they call kora-koras, and engage in close combat with swords, in which they are highly adept. They move swiftly, even with a shield on their back, and are extremely agile. Their infantry is physically demanding, and they reject servitude—no one consents to be a servant or a slave.

They wear only the bare minimum, typically a simple barkcloth wrap to cover their modesty. They are content with little and possess few material goods. Whatever wealth they have, the nobles distribute among their followers. Those who seek riches leave their homeland to try their fortune elsewhere.

Wealth derives mainly from the clove trade, which they exchange with other nations. They have no money, but they know silver, which they sometimes appreciate, though it holds no intrinsic value for them. They do not know gold, except possibly through trade with Indians. Their language is their own and unrelated to other Indian tongues. Their script resembles Arabic. Their wives are, as in many places, purchased and taken as wives or slaves. A bride price is always paid, and the greater one’s wealth, the higher the price.

Foreigners are not admitted to their houses, except under special circumstances. If one wishes to host a guest, it is done publicly or in a designated place. Weddings are celebrated with public festivities, and parents and relatives offer gifts and dowries.”

Price: Euro 975,-