Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Cary's pocket globe agreeable to the latest discoveries

Cary's pocket globe agreeable to the latest discoveries

c. 1791
GLOBE 1
Hand-coloured globe in papier-mâché sharkskin covered case
Purchased from Hordern House in 2009

Pocket globes (pocket-sized globes) measured around 7.5 cm (3 inches) in diameter and were used as status symbols for gentlemen as well as educational tools for children. The popularity of pocket globes peaked in the first half of the 18th century.

Construction and colours

This is a terrestrial globe with metal axis pins at the poles. It is constructed using engraved and hand-coloured gores. The oceans are coloured light green, with landmasses in light green, pink and cream tones, outlined in green and/or red. Tracks of explorers are shown with blank lines. The case is covered in decorative sharkskin, known as shagreen.