1720 Manuscript Windrose with Gold Foiling

This is a stunning 18th century manuscript wind rose with rich color and gold foiling. This wind rose is part of a manuscript treatise of navigation in Italian, which, alas, is incomplete. The rose consists of a globe, centered on Jerusalem, with thirty-two named winds associated with cardinal directions. Winds are named in Italian, French, and English, all of which are distinguished via differently colored inks. The wind rose itself features an elaborate manuscript floral design of masterful execution and beauty. Beneath the wind rose, and on the verso, part of the navigational treatise continues in Italian. There are additional diagrams on verso. We have provided a date of 1720, but this is merely conjecture. Based upon the paper and style, it is reasonable to assume this was drawn between 1650 and 1790.