Genoese map

The map relied extensively on the account of the traveler to Asia Niccolo da Conti, rather than the usual source of Marco Polo.

[1] The author is not known, but is a more modern development than the Fra Mauro world map, with fairly good proportions given to each continents.

The map also depicts a three-masted European ship in the Indian Ocean, something which had not occurred yet at the time.

[1] The Genoese map's sea monsters reflect the cartographer's interest in exotic wonders, which is everywhere in evidence on the map, and typical of the scientific outlook of the early modern period, which was driven by curiosity and took a great interest in marvels.

Another possibility is that the oval form represents the mandorla, or nimbus, which surrounded Christ in many medieval works of art.