Celestial goblet globe

Celestial goblet globe. Astronomical details on the sphere show a labelled magnitude table beneath Camelopardalis. The Magellanic clouds are labelled. A total of three stars and three star groups are named. The 48 Ptolemaic constellations and four of the non-Ptolemaic constellations are drawn. Four of the southern constellations are drawn as well as 11 of the 12 southern constellations of Plancius. There have been recent lead solder repairs on the stem and on the finial.

The globe is a reproduction of an original manuscript globe, and the original was probably made in Germany around 1621. The particular combination of the non-Ptolemaic new constellations, such as Gallus and Rhombus, only occurs on the celestial globe of Isaac Habrecht II of 1621, see GLB0118. Unusually the goblet is in one piece and the stem and the finila are attached by lobed discs.

The poor shiny surface suggests that it may have been rubbed down, or it may be a consequence of the electrolysis process. All the components of the goblet are electroforms. It was electroformed in silver, which was unusual and suggests that this piece was made as a deliberate fake. For full details about the cartography and construction of this globe please refer to the related publication.

Object Details

ID: GLB0177
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments; Charts and maps
Type: Goblet globe
Display location: Not on display
Creator: II, after Isaac Habrecht
Date made: Cartographic source: circa 1625; Globe produced: 19th century Cartographic source: circa 1625; Globe produced: 19th century
People: Petrus Plancius, Petrus
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 425 x 155 mm; Diameter of sphere: 150 mm
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