Inventory no. 23709 - Former Display Label
A pair of Dutch GLOBES
early 17th century
Globes were often made in pairs, one celestial, the other terrestrial. This is the celestial globe of a pair of globes by Wilhelm Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638), a celebrated Dutch cartographer and instrument-maker. (The terrestrial globe is shown on the other side of the case.)
A celestial globe shows the constellations, the ecliptic and other features of the celestial sphere. Blaeu was a pupil of the Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe, with whom he worked for a time at his observatory at Uranienburg, and this globe incorporates Tycho Brahe's discoveries to which have been added those of Frederick Houtmann.
The globe is dated 1603 and is dedicated to the Prince of Orange.
[2910]
Bequeathed by J. A. Gotch, Esq.