SWEDISH CIRCA 1880

Details

A "GRAND SOHLBERG" CELESTIAL GLOBE
SWEDISH CIRCA 1880
The 9-inch diameter glass celestial sphere engraved on the outside with the lines of latitude and longitude and the tropic and polar circles, the equatorial graduated in degrees and hours, with applied steel ecliptic band, the interior with a central polar axis, at the centre a miniature terrestrial globe painted with lines of longitude and latitude and coloured continents, with brass mountings at either end, at the South Pole two knurled turning knobs, one for the earth with graduations in hours 1-12 and one for the sphere itself with graduations 1-24, held in a semi-circular gilt and black-painted iron mounting, swivelling on the horizontal axis to move an index against a vertically-mounted brass circle, graduated in 0°-90° in four quadrants, raised on an elegant curved iron arm, the black ground with gilt-painted foliate decoration, to a concave triform tripod base, with splayed cast-iron legs, with a brass plaque affixed SOHLBERG HIMMELSGLOB ÖLLERS & CNI STOCKHOLM 1 TILLVERKAD AF, housed in glazed pine case — with K.H. Sohlberg, Astronomi, Stochholm 1881.
27 x 21 x 21in. (69 x 53 x 53cm.)

Special notice

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

James Hyslop

jhyslop@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3205

Lot Essay

The first example of the fine and unusual celestial globe issued in Stockholm. Designed for academic and institutional use they were originally priced at 118 Kr (of which the government paid 20). The globe was designed to be half-filled with ink or litmus coloured water, to show the selected regions horizon; the water could be drained and replaced through the valves.

More from Science & Natural History

View All