[MARRIAGE MAP] Late Georgian Allegorical Map of Matrimony

A handwritten, drawn and illustrated manuscript ‘Marriage Map’ on thick laid paper (39 x 25cm approx) on one side only, in watercolour, pen and ink; showing various rivers, lakes, streams, trees, castles, roads and more; the card sometime folded once horizontally and once vertically, and beginning to split along folds; to one hand side the tears have now been lovingly stitched back together with string; some spotting, nicking and darkening in places, as is to be expected, with the map clearly consulted on more than one occasion; a wonderful survival. 

A fascinating example of a manuscript ‘marriage map’, popular throughout the late Georgian period, with the title ‘A Map of Matrimony’ contained within a decorative wreath to the bottom left hand corner. Surrounding the central ‘Sea of Marriage’ and ‘Honeymoon island’ can be found the many possible pitfalls and troubles which a couple may face throughout their marriage, including ‘Rocks of jealousy’, ‘Cuckold point’, ‘Extravagance bank’, ‘Indifference bay’ and even a perimeter road to ‘Horn Villa’, a rather risque reference to a marriage ruined by infidelity. Also leading away from the sea are a series of possible paths, including ‘Expectation Road’, and two tributaries; the Channel of Love (beyond which is ‘Fools Paradise’) and ‘Fast a sleep Creek’ (leading to ‘Coast Deception’). To the other side ‘Pleasant Straights’ lead to the ‘Land of Promise’ and ‘Brats Borough’, and other possible monuments include ‘Humdrum Abbey’ and even ‘Fort Divorce’. 

Marriage Maps, or allegorical charts of love, were satirical, whimsical spoof maps which charted the literal and psychological ‘marriage market’ of high society. Later printed examples gained popularity throughout the 19th century, but the present example represents a rare and unique privately-circulated novelty where emotional states, relationship milestones and romantic hazards have been transformed into a geographical landscape. 

There are subtle clues as to where the present example may have been created. ‘The Road to the Pantheon’ is likely to refer to the London Pantheon on Oxford Street, which was at the time the apex of elite winter masquerade balls. Furthermore, the road ‘To Spa’ is a reference to the routes one might take to high-society singlehood, where those wanting to escape the trappings of marriage packed their trunks for the Spa towns of Bath, Epsom, or Tunbridge Wells. 

SKU: 1800279