Milan - Collectibles and Curiosities

Pair of 12-inch table globes William Harris London, 1832 and 1835 Slight abrasions from use; few cracks lb 11 each (kg 5) The two terrestrial and celestial globes rest in their original Dutch style stands with four supporting turned wood columns. Each one measures 12 in in height x 16.5 in in diameter with the diameter of the spheres measuring approximately 12 in; 48 cm in height x 42 cm in diameter x 31 cm diameter of the spheres. The 12 inch measure was the most frequently used by British manufacturers of globes of this period. Each globe is composed of two series of twelve printed paper gores, aligned and glued onto plaster spheres. The brass circle of the meridian bears engravings...

Large black and white historical picture depicting the ship Virgen de Africa Cadiz, dated 1917. Original frame, 112 x 79 - inches 44 x 31. Good condition.

United by both their passion for transforming materials into materials to amaze and excite, Alessandro Ciffo and Andrea Zambelli deepen their collaboration through a game and find a ...

1960s Stunning alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi with ashtray, cigarette box and table lighter, everything is handmade carved. Made in Italy. This smoking set is in excellent c...

1980s Original gorgeous playing cards box by Piero Fornasetti in walnut wood . It's in excellent condition and includes two packs of Dal Negro cards. The box is signed on the botto...

British brass, glass, and Bakelite aviation compass, signed SMITHS Made in Great Britain Type KCA-1401K from the 1940s, and mounted on wooden board. Compass diameter cm 11.5-in 4.5....

Structure of his favourite kind of keel by Charles Sibbick the designer, similar to the modern boats racing today in America's cup. It is a part of a project for a 52' linear rater f...

John and William Cary Updated by George and John Cary Terrestrial Globe London, 1840 lb 22 (kg 10) Slight surface abrasions due to use. A small crack on the horizon circle. The globe rests in its original Dutch style stand with four supporting turned wood columns. It measures 26 in in height x 23.6 in in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 18 in; 66 cm in height x 60 cm in diameter with the diameter of the sphere measuring 45.72 cm. The 18 inch...

Miniature Wunderkammer architectural model, entirely handmade, in painted balsa wood, depicting the Eiffel Tower. Grand Tour item. Original patina. France early 20th century.

Pocket globe London, between 1775 and 1798 Re-edition of the globe of Hermann Moll (1678-1732) dated 1719 The globe is contained in its original case, which itself is covered in shark skin. There are slight gaps in the original paint on the sphere. The case no longer closes. The sphere measures 2.7 in (7 cm) in diameter whereas the case measures 2.9 in (7.4 cm) in diameter. lb 0.22 (kg 0.1) The globe is made up of twelve printed paper gores aligned and glued to the sphere. In the North Pacific Ocean there is a cartouche with the inscription: A Correct Globe with the new Discoveries. The celestial globe is depicted on the inside of the box and is divided into two hemispheres with the cartouche: A correct globe with ye new cons relations of Dr. Halley & c. It shows the ecliptic divided into the days of the zodiacal calendar and the constellations represented as animals and mythological figures. On the globe are delineated the equinoctial line, divided by degrees and hours, the ecliptic and the meridian (passing west of Greenwich). The continents are shaded and outlined in pink, green and yellow. It shows: the Cook routes; a wind rose in the Southern Indian Ocean; Antarctica without land; Africa with Negroland (Hermann Moll is considered the first geographer to name the West African region in his 1727 map. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, ed. 1902, under "States of Central Africa"); Tartary in Central Asia; the Mogul kingdom in northern India; in North America only New England, Virginia, Carolina, Florida, Mississippi are identified; California is already a peninsula; the northwest coast of America is "unknown parts" (Alaska is not described and it is only partially delineated, it was to become part of the United States in 1867); Mexico is named "Spain"; Central South America "Amazone America". Australia (which was to be so named after 1829) is called New Holland. The route of Admiral Anson is traced (1740) and the trade winds are indicated by arrows. (See Van der Krogt, P., Old Globes in the Netherlands, Utrecht 1984, p. 146 and Van der Krogt, P. - Dekker, E., Globes from the Western World, London 1993, pp. 115.) Elly Dekker, comparing Moll’s 1719 globe and his re-edition (of which the one described above is a sample), identifies the differences between them: the two editions are quite similar to each other, but in the "anonymous" globe, compared to the previous globe of 1719, California looks like a proper peninsula - the reports of the Spanish explorers of the region had given rise to uncertainty over whether it was connected to the mainland or not. The geographical nature of California was confirmed after the explorations of Juan Bautista de Anza (1774-1776). The routes of Dampier's journey were partially erased and the route of Captain James Cook's first voyage was superimposed on them, and the geography of Australasia was adapted accordingly, including the denomination of the Cook Strait. See Dekker, Elly, Globes at Greenwich, 1999. An important ante quem element is represented by Tasmania: it is not separated from Australia by the Bass Strait...

Walking stick: jeweled walking stick with a gold milord knob and faceted garnet stones, depicting clovers. engraved with a dedication Noèl, a date 1910 and a noble coat of arms of th...

1960s Gorgeous smoking set in onyx. The table lighter works perfectly. Made in Italy. The items are in excellent condition. Dimension: Table Lighter diameter 2,36 x 4,33 H inches di...

Rare nautical survey magnetic compass, brass pocket, signed Gruchon & Emons Paris No. 81 1918, made for U.S Engineer Corps and in use by officers during World War I. This is a smal...

Educational model, papier maché and plaster, decipting a baby borning. 1930s-1940s, sold by the Hygiene Museum in Dresden. Very good condition. Measu...

Ptolemaic armillary sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, ante 1798 Wood and papier-mâché covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper It measures 16.37 in in height x Ø 10.94 in (41.60 cm - Ø 27.80 cm) It weights 2.33 lb (1,058 g) State of conservation: consistent with its age and use, the paper shows some signs of use, stains and abrasions. The sphere is Ptolemaic, with the Earth placed at its center, surrounded by the Moon and the Sun mounted on two metal arms. The sphere is composed of six horizontal and two vertical rings (armillae), each bearing graduations and its own name. The first horizontal ring is illegible. The others, in descending order are: North Pole, Tropic of Cancer, Equator, Tropic of Capricorn, South Pole. The vertical rings consist of two double meridians. The sphere is then connected to the large meridian by two pins, a vertical ring inserted perpendicularly into the circle of the Horizon, in turn supported by four semicircles connected to the turned and black-stained wooden base. Each element is covered with printed paper. It contains various pieces of information: latitudes, length of days, names and zodiac symbols, calendar, wind directions, etc. The vertical circles mention the latitudes and longitudes of different cities: Rome, Bordeaux, Madrid, Boston, Batavia (Jakarta), Acapulco, etc. Even the small terrestrial globe is covered with printed paper: continents and oceans appear with numerous geographical markings indicating the most recent explorations. In the Pacific Ocean, west of South America bears the following inscription: GLOBE TERRESTRIAL à Paris chez Delamarche Géog Rue du Foin Jacques Au Collège de M.e Gervais The North American coasts are well delineated and California appears correctly as a peninsula - reports from Spanish explorers in the region had given rise to confusion as to whether it was connected to the mainland or not. The geographical nature of California was confirmed after the explorations of Juan Bautista de Anza (1774-1776). Alaska is not described and is only partially traced; it would become part of the United States in 1867. Various Pacific islands are indicated. Australia (the name definitely used from 1824) is called "Nouvelle Hollande." Tasmania is still represented as a peninsula and this is an important detail for the dating of our armillary sphere. The island is separated from Australia by Bass Strait, which was crossed by Matthew Flinders for the first time in 1798, showing that it was not a peninsula. Delamarche certainly would not have waited a long time to update such an important geographical datum: presumably he did so shortly after receiving the news. Charles-François Delamarche (1740-1817) founded his laboratory around 1770 and, in a few years, he became the most famous French cartographer and globe maker between the 18th and 19th centuries. After having acquired the laboratory of the late Didier Robert de Vaugondy (1723-1786; himself a renowned cartographer who continued the family business founded by his grandfather Nicolas Sanson in the seventeenth century) and after having purchased, between 1788 and around 1800, the businesses of Jean-Baptiste Fortin (1750-1831) and Jean Lattré (around 1750-1800), he began to call himself "Successeur de MM. Sanson and Robert de Vaugondi, Géographes du Roi and de M. Fortin, Ingénieur-mécanicien du Roi pour les globes et les sphères." Thus, at the end of the eighteenth century, Delamarche possessed the warehouse stocks, as well as the manufacturing skills of the globes of his main rivals in Paris. In addition to this aggressive acquisition policy, the key to its success also lay in the combination of high-quality cartography combined with extremely attractive globes and armillary spheres; and, of course, its famous red paint finishing touch. His laboratory was located on Rue de Foin St Jacques "au Collège Me. (or "Mtre") Gervais" in the Latin Quarter of Paris until around 1805, when he moved to rue du Jardinet No. 13. On the death of Charles-François in 1817, the reins of the company passed to his son Félix (1779-1835), who continued to publish, often in collaboration with the engraver Charles Dien, Sr. In 1835 the company first moved to rue du Jardinet No. 12 and a little later to rue du Battoir No. 7. Bibliography: Dekker, Elly, et al. Globes at Greenwich...

Rare round cardboard scope with four extensions and brass ferrules, german manufacture from the early 19th century. Excellent state of conservation. Maximum length cm 95 - 37.4 in,...

Human skull anatomical model life size 1:1 Model with cranial sutures detachable 2 parts plus three cervical vertebrae for medical educational aid. The skull and vertebrae are made o...

Jewel walking stick, made of silver, designed and made by Turriet & Bardach. The spherical knob represents a Vanitas – Memento Mori. On the 3 sides of the sphere, there are black and...

Figurehead in carved oak depicting a female figure whose body has the shape of a siren, symbol of fertility and protection, with female features in the upper part and fish tail inste...

Blown glass scientific instrument. An example of the Crookes tube with Maltese Cross, in chromed metal, a precursor to the cathode ray tube. It was used t...

Ptolemaic armillary sphere Charles-François Delamarche Paris, ante 1798 Wood and papier-mâché covered with printed and partly hand-colored paper It measures 15.55 in in height x Ø 10...

Miniature Wunderkammer Grand Tour architectural model, entirely handmade, in balsa wood and brass, depicting the Tower of Pisa. The bells made of brass are inserted in the final part...

Art Nouveau walking stick. The silver knob depicts the face of a girl, made of carved ivory, with long hair wrapped along the ebony wood barrel. The girl's hairstyle features stones,...

Automa Animato Tedesco Gabbia Con Uccellino del 1920 circa costituito da una gabbia rotonda in ottone dorato con al suo interno un uccello animato canterino su di un trespolo con un ...

Lithograph on paper made in the 1990s by the Ludovici typography in Rome from a painting depicting White Muzzle winner of the 1993 Italian Derby ridden by John Reid. With frame 66.5x...

A selection of antique Grand Tour marbles. In an inclined display structure made of lacquered cherry wood and profiled in black (ebony wood), a coll...

Traditional craftsmanship and noble materials make this game box the ultimate sophisticated accessory. A perfect gift and a precious addition to any home, this box is made of wood with the top of the lid upholstered in leather. The alabaster noughts and crosses...

This stunning backgammon box is the ultimate gift for a game lover and a superb decorative object for any interior. Its functional structure is in Trave...

Educational botanical model in section of the sunflower flower showing its inner part, this is an enlarged and decomposable inner tubular corolla of a concrescent petal section in th...

Celestial table globe Charles-François Delamarche Paris, 1791 It measures: 17.13 in in height, Ø max 27.7 in; the sphere Ø 7.09 in (h 43.5 cm x Ø max 27.7 cm; the sphere Ø 18 cm). W...

Italian Radiophonograph RR126 and Record Player by Castiglioni Brothers for Brionvega, 1960s. RR126 radio phonograph and turntable with a rectangular wooden base with dark brown prof...

Wooden handmade backgammon game dressed in fine and soft genuine leather with brass dice in palladium plating. Available in different colors. Pleas...

Antique mid-18th-century brass Gregorian refractor telescope, almost certainly made by James Short (1710-1768). Good condition, replaced eyepiece and missing lens, lathe rebuilt the ...

Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden boxwood sundial with compass, of German origin, by David Beringer, Nuremberg, dating back to the 1790 circa, in good age related condition, with signs of wear consistent with age and use. David Beringer (1756 – 1821) was a German scientific instrument maker and craftsman active in Nuremberg and famous for his cubic wooden sundials visible in Metropolitan Museum of Art di New York. A portable sundial...

Ebony wood, brass and marine ivory octant, scale from 0° to 100°,signed Hughes London made around 1830. Good condition, complete with custom-made display base made of wood and brass....

Wooden handmade backgammon game dressed in fine and soft genuine leather with brass dice in palladium plating. Available in different colors. Pleas...

Small wood and brass wall-mounted aneroid barometer in the shape of a six-ankle rudder. Signed SB Smiths British Made Instrument of the 1950s. This is an instrument whose pressure-s...

Wooden antique ship model of a cargo-carrack, probably from Genoa, with three masts, end of the 19th century. Very good conditions. Measures: Length cm 70 - inches 28, height cm 56 ...

ISBN: 88.7269.004.8 This rare book on Ico Parisi by Luigi Cavadini and Flaminio Gualdoni has 86 pages with about 150 images. It is edited by FIdia Edizioni d'Arte and printed by G...

Induction electrification demonstrator instrument. By putting two electrically neutral spheres in contact with each other, when a charged wand is approached, it is possible to notice...

Brass sextant signed H. Hughes & Son Ltd No. 32890 of the 1930s; instrument complete with optics and housed in its original mahogany wood box of with locking hooks and brass handle,...

Stunning in its simplicity, this Murano glass replica of the medieval tarot card by the Visconti di Modrone will transform any decor with its antique allure. The Queen of Cups, a poe...

Pair of bookends made of steel and depicting a sailboat sailing upwind. English manufacture of the 1950s. Bon état. Measures 11.5x8x15.5 cm - inches4.5x3.2x6.2. The last photo is the...

Brass travel nautical surveying compass circa 1920, complete with original leather case, signed The Magnapole Patent 22598. Small compass used away from magnetic fields to verify the...

Little but realistic miniature model of a classic Porsche 911 - most likely a "G Model" from the late 1970s/early 1980s. It is made in pressed clear glass, and is rich in details, to...

Terrestrial globe published in the 1940s by Girard Barrère et Thomas 17, Rue de Buci Paris. Turned wooden base, papier mâché sphere covered with paper printed by engraving on copper ...

Natural specimen from Wunderkammer Stuffed bird Red crossbill (Loxia Curvirostra) mounted on a wooden base with cartouche Specimen for laboratory and Natu...

1960s Stunning alabaster smoking set by Romano Bianchi with ashtray and table lighter, everything is handmade carved. The table lighter works perfeclty....

English mid-century modern vinyl record player case by His Master's Voice, 1950s Rectangular case vinyl record player. Structure in dark and light b...

Vertical mirror galvanometer made in 1850 circa, oak and glass, three adjustable screws at the base. Tool constituted by a magnet bar movable inside a coil and connected to a needle. In the absence of current the needle is positioned vertically while when the coil is crossed by the current it creates a magnetic field that moves the needle. This type of galvanometer was used for measurement of insulation of telegraph cables...

Snuff box made in the late 19th century in a horse's hoof and horn lid, horseshoe base of chromed metal. Metal label on the lid engraved with the owner's initials MB...

Necklace of degrading natural pearls with 18 Kt white gold, emerald and diamonds clasp. The necklace is made from natural pearls with minima...

This richly detailed replica of a medieval tarot card of the Visconti di Modrone is an elegant accent for a traditionally styled home. This card, the Queen of Wands, captures the ene...

A Copernican armillary sphere made of iron, paper, brass and wood, with the Sun inside, and the Earth on the outside, made of wood and covered with paper. Pedestal made of turned and...

Very rare gadget-System walking stick: stick with the function of a music instrument, a flute. Painted fruitwood shaft, wooden handle. Inside the shaft is hollow, and holes and keys ...

A travel nautical instrument, sextant, to determine the ship’s position. The cover became the base of it. Signed Stanley, London, England circa 1890.

Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel 1942, Barking & London 1942. Good condition, slight abrasion on compass rose. The compass is mounted on eboni...

Round-section brass telescope with mahogany-lined handle, four-extension focus. English manufacture from the mid-19th century. Good condition signs of wear and tear, fully functional...

Blown glass scientific instrument to evaluate the expansion of the liquids with the warmth. Italy circa 1900.

Large 12" terrestrial globe made by the famous Cary brothers, made with a wooden frame, refined plaster polished to perfection, and colored paper gores. The globe is supported by a f...