Pair of 17th C Copper Engravings, Descriptions de L'Univers by Alain Mallet

Pair of 17th century copper engraving from the book, Descriptions de L’Univers, by Alain Mallet c. 1683. Titled Hurons and Cerro Rico, Bolivia depicting the silver mines of Potosí, Bolivia, specifically the “Cerro Rico” mountain. The mountain was famous for being the world’s largest silver deposit, which was mined extensively from the 16th century onwards. Hurons (also known as the Huron-Wendat people) are a Native American/Indigenous people from the Great Lakes region, particularly present-day Ontario, Canada. They were known for their agricultural practices and significant involvement in the 17th-century fur trade with French explorers. Images measure 7.25 inches H x 4.75 W, modernist black matte frames measure 17 x 14.5 inches.