Celestial globe

Date1783-1785

Artist/Maker William Bardin (1740 - 1798)

MediumPaper, papier mache, ink, brass, and mahogany.

DimensionsGlobe Diam: 9"; Stands: OH:8 1/2"; OW: 11"; D.of rim:12 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1967-253,B

DescriptionSpherical celestial globe covered with paper and lacquered; mahogany stand with flat, circular rim molded on outside edge; hand-colored paper disc, engraved with signs of the zodiac, months of year, compass points and several scales, pasted on rim and lacquered; rim supported on four baluster-and-urn turned legs terminating in spade feet; two baluster stretchers cross at center; brass catch to hold globe in place bolted through block where stretchers meet; hand-lettered paper disc with instructions written on one side and Roman numerals on top side fits over rim on terrestrial globe stand.

Survives with matching terrestrial globe and case.
Label TextGlobes showing the position of the stars have been used for more than 2,500 years, while those illustrating the earth, its continents, and oceans have been known only since the late fifteenth century. By the eighteenth century pairs of terrestrial and celestial globes such as this were often found in the libraries of well-to-do gentlemen.

William Bardin was a leading London globemaker during the late eighteenth century.
InscribedCartouche: "The CELESTIAL GLOBE, accompanying the GEOGRAPHICAL MAGAZINE, Published as the Act directs, by Harrison & Co., No. 18, Paternoster Row, Apr. 1, 1785 Made by W. BARDIN, Fleet Street, LONDON"
ProvenanceStanley J. Pratt, London

Exhibition(s)