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    Sale 6827

    Important Silver, Russian Works of Art and Paintings

    London

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    25 November 2003

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    • A George II silver inkstand
    Lot 286

    A George II silver inkstand

    MARK OF JOHN ROBINS, LONDON, 1792

    Price realised

    GBP 17,925

    Estimate

    GBP 5,000 - GBP 7,000

    Follow lot

    A George II silver inkstand
    Mark of John Robins, London, 1792
    Formed as a terrestrial globe pivoting on a stand, finely engraved with a map of the world, and opening with a push mechanism to reveal a compartment for ink-stands, now lacking, containing a small carved ivory notepad, a seal, and two fitments, the stand with cast figural stem representing Atlas, on circular foot, with beaded and reeded borders and lion's mask terminals, the finial formed as an owl, the supports engraved with zodiac signs, months and latitudes, marked on base, support, and two sides of globe interior, with lined and fitted tooled leather case
    10in. (25.2cm.) high
    26oz. (832gr.) without ivory notepad

    Provenance

    Anonymous sale; Sotheby's, London, 24 April 1975, lot 137

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    Literature and exhibited

    Literature

    V. Brett, The Sotheby;s Directory of Silver, 1600-1940, p. 233, fig 1036.


    Lot Essay

    Terrestrial and celestial globes have been the subject of carved wooden and leather decorative spheres since the first twelve-lobed cartographic example by Mercator in 1541. Their popularity and accessibility have increased through the centuries, but an example in silver is exceptionally rare. The 1797 edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica describes the function of the Terrestrial globe, which by means of maps accurately delineated on a spherical ball, gives 'the true situation of the different places of the earth with regard to one another.., as, how far distant they are from us, what hour of the day it is... etc. at any particular place.' The fascination with exploration had taken root in the 18th century mind and globes were considered a necessity for education and to display worldly knowledge. As scientific instruments, they were constantly updated to reflect the newest discoveries occasioned by trade with faraway lands. Accuracy was highly prized and closely linked with exploration; indeed in 1798 prominent London globemakers Bardins dedicated their terrestrial globes to the scientist and Royal Society president Sir Joseph Banks. Thus this 1792 globe reflects the truest representation of the world as known at the time of its creation.

    Other information

    Special Notice

    VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium


    Pre-Lot Text

    THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN

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