Antique Brass Astrological Metalware. Information and price guide to antique brass astrological metalware including a Leonard Cushee terrestrial table globe and an Iranian brass astrolabe.
A 15-inch Leonard Cushee Terrestrial Table Globe, English, circa 1760,
the cartouche printed A NEW TERRESTRIAL GLOBE DRAWN From the Best Authorities BY L. Cushee, the sphere with twelve applied gores with green hand-colouring, California shown as a peninsula, north-west Canada labelled ‘parts unknown’, Australia and New Guinea shown as a single landmass, New Zealand labelled ‘New Zeeland’ with only a limited section of the west coast shown, the Sahara Desert labelled ‘Zaara or the Desart’, the globe mounted in brass meridian within horizon ring applied with degree compass point and astrological signs, on six-legged mahogany frame,
20 1/2in (52cm) tall with stand
horizon ring approx. 20in (51cm) diameter
Sold for £14,000 inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2022
A BRASS ASTROLABE
QAJAR IRAN, 19TH CENTURY
The mater engraved with concentric circles with inscriptions in naskh, the lobed throne decorated with an Arabic inscription in thuluth on a a scrolling floral ground, suspension shackle above, the rim graduated 0-360° by 1° with larger markings every 5°, with five plates all with inscriptions in naskh, the rete with named star points around a central bird, the reverse engraved with the signs of the zodiac, alidade engraved with floral scrolls, with pin mounted with a bird
18in. (45.7cm.) high including shackle
Sold for GBP 6,875 at Christie’s in 2020
AN INDO-PERSIAN HEAVY BRASS CELESTIAL GLOBE, the spherical form with engraved markings, characters and astrological symbols, inscribed and with some areas of inlay – possibly silver, holes at either pole for support, approx 16cm.
Sold for £480 at John Nicholson Auctioneers in 2022
FR. J. BERG
Sweden, 19th century
Tellurium
brass, printed paper, cast-iron
with a mechanical 2 3/4 in. terrestrial globe made up of eighteen gores, printed Jordglobe etc., white painted moon, cast-iron base with brass candlestick, the astrological paper calendar printed with maker’s name and concave reflector, with winding handle to side
44.5cm. by 61cm.; 1ft. 5½in. by 2ft.
Made in Stockholm, circa 1870
Sold for 1,386 GBP at Sotheby’s in 2021
