Two views of the coast of Babelmandel Cape [Ras Bab-el-Mandeb] by Thomas Elwon (1793/4–1835)

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

These two sequential topographical views of Babelmandel Cape [Ras Bab-el-Mandeb], sketched from on board ship.

The area shown is a fully worked view based on the sketches found in WD3528 and show the following features of the coastline, from left to right: Fisher’s or Pilot’s Island [Fisherman’s Rock or Pilot’s Rock / Shaykh Malu Island]; Babelmandel Cape [Ras Bab el Mandeb]; Babelmandel Quoin [a wedge-shaped point on Ras Bab el Mandeb]; Coast of Babelmandel [Ras Bab-el-Mandeb].

Inscriptions:

Recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. :

From left to right, below image, in pen: ‘Fisher’s or Pilot’s Island’; ‘Babelmandel Cape’; ‘Babelmandel Quoin’; ‘Coast of Babelmandel’.

Far right and lower left, in pen: ‘a’

Extent and format

2 sequential, topographical, watercolour views on 1 sheet of paper

It is part of

Drawings of the coast around Aden and along the Red Sea made during Elwon’s survey to establish the best course for steamers travelling to and from Suez by Thomas Elwon (1793/4-1835)

8 images

Ref: WD3533-3536

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

148 x 530 mm

Materials:

Watercolour and pen on paper

Condition:

Surface dirt coats the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. and verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. , particularly at left edge where staining is also visible.. The paper is extensively cracked along right-hand fold and left-hand edge, however, repair work has stabilised the sheet.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Drawing

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: Visual Arts

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

WD3535

History of this record

Date(s)

1829-1834 (CE, Gregorian)

Places

Babelmandel

People & organisations

Thomas Elwon

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Cite this record in your research

Two views of the coast of Babelmandel Cape [Ras Bab-el-Mandeb] by Thomas Elwon (1793/4–1835), British Library: Visual Arts, WD3535, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100025656138.0x000003> [accessed 28 August 2026]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100025656138.0x000003

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