Antique Globes Throughout History
Explorers throughout time have studied antique globes as a way of understanding our planet. Before technology and GPS, travelers would rely on the night sky to guide them. This inspired the creation of celestial maps, used as navigational tools long before the terrestrial globe emerged. Over 2,000 years ago, Aristotle proved that the world was round by noticing the Earth's circle on the moon during an eclipse. This theory was taught until the fall of the Roman empire, and society slipped into the Dark Ages. It was not until the late 1500s-early 1600s that celestial and globe ornaments began to be created and used.
After the discovery of the Americas, there was an upsurge of interest in exploration and geography. The production of terrestrial globes and world maps with detailed information on new areas were useful means of notifying the public of what had been discovered. The emergence of the classroom as we recognize it today in the 19th century also resulted in a keen interest in globes as a means to teach the youth of our planet. Smaller globes intended for children began to be manufactured.
21-Inch Celestial & Terrestrial Globes by Newton & Son
Notable Examples of Antique Globes
This pair of globes, crafted by John and William Cary circa 1816 and 1821, would have served as a source for knowledge and conversation starter. John and William Cary are regarded as some of the greatest British globe makers of the late Georgian period, highlighting a beautiful and artistic style in each one of their vintage globe pieces. The terrestrial globe provides the most current geographical understanding of the time, while the celestial globe represents an accurate representation of the stars. The terrestrial globe also includes facts discovered during recent expeditions to the North Pole. Set in their Regency-era mahogany stands, each globe has aged to a beautiful patina and would make a fabulous addition to any tabletop.
John and William Cary Table Globes
This pair of globes, crafted by John and William Cary circa 1816 and 1821, would have served as a source for knowledge and conversation starter. John and William Cary are regarded as some of the greatest British globe makers of the late Georgian period. The terrestrial globe provides the most current geographical understanding of the time, while the celestial globe represents an accurate representation of the stars. The terrestrial globe also includes facts discovered during recent expeditions to the North Pole. Set in their Regency-era mahogany stands, each globe has aged to a beautiful patina and would make a fabulous addition to any tabletop.
Dutch Terrestrial Table Globe by Gerard Valk
This one-of-a-kind terrestrial globe was crafted by the hand of Dutch cartographer Gerard Valk. Referred to as a cosmotheore, this particular globe has a hyper-detailed rendering of the Earth's landmasses and bodies of water. The exceptional map object not only provides an understanding of the earth's surface as it was understood at the time, but also features important landmarks, ports, and Native American tribal land, all in an artistic style. What is perhaps most notable about this antique globe is that the outline of the Pacific Northwest spanning from Alaska to Russia is labeled "Terra Incognita," as much of the highlighted land was not yet understood.
Whether you are looking for a fantastic tool of scientific knowledge or an attractive map accessory for your desk, an antique globe is undoubtedly an exceptional addition for any collector. Although we have access to GPS in the modern age, nothing is as impressive as being able to hold the world in your hands.
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