Hemispheres

Antique Hemisphere Maps

Antique hemisphere maps present the world divided into two opposing halves, most commonly shown as Eastern and Western hemispheres or as Northern and Southern hemispheres. This format became especially popular from the 17th century onward, offering a balanced and visually striking way to represent the globe while accommodating expanding geographic knowledge.

Double-hemisphere world maps, often engraved as two large circular projections on a single sheet, were widely used in atlases and wall maps. Influential cartographers such as Gerard Mercator, Jodocus Hondius, Willem Blaeu, Guillaume Delisle and later John Cary employed the hemispherical format to present global geography with increasing accuracy, incorporating discoveries resulting from exploration of the Americas, the Pacific and the southern oceans.

These maps frequently illustrate routes of exploration, continental outlines and evolving coastlines, while also showcasing decorative engraving, cartouches and period typography. The hemispherical format allowed mapmakers to reconcile the challenges of representing a spherical world on a flat surface, making these maps both scientifically significant and aesthetically appealing.

Original antique hemisphere maps are highly sought after for their clarity, symmetry and historical importance. They provide insight into how the world was conceptualised at different moments in time and remain enduring examples of world cartography from the early modern period through the 19th century.