Description

This piece combines two traditions that often stand alone, early 20th-century educational cartography and classical figurative sculpture. The globe itself is an 8-inch terrestrial example by Geographia of London, bearing the company’s characteristic labeling that notes railways, steamer route distances in sea miles, heights in English feet, and British possessions marked in red. These details place the globe squarely in the era when world travel, empire, and industrial connectivity shaped how geography was taught and visualized.

The surface shows expected age-appropriate wear, toning, and patina, particularly along the equatorial band and at points of handling, which reinforces its authenticity rather than detracting from it. Place names, currents, and continental outlines remain legible, making it suitable for display rather than reference use.

Supporting the globe is a cast Atlas figure in a bronze-tone finish, kneeling and bearing the weight of the world overhead. The sculptural base introduces a mythological narrative element that elevates the piece beyond a standard desktop globe. Together, the globe and figure function as a compact object of curiosity, ideal for a bookshelf, desk, or study where historical objects and symbolism matter more than scale.

This is best understood as a collectible decorative object with academic roots, not a modern reproduction or teaching tool. Its appeal lies in material presence, period character, and the juxtaposition of geography and classical form.

Specifications

• Globe diameter: 8 inches

• Overall height: 18.5 inches

• Maker: Geographia Ltd., London

• Globe type: Terrestrial

• Materials: Printed globe surface, metal meridian, cast metal Atlas figure base

• Finish: Aged surface with visible patina and wear consistent with age

• Mount: Fixed sculptural base, non-illuminated