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Works of Art
18th century
1
Works of Art du 18th century
Pair of terrestrial and celestial globes by L.C. Desnos, Paris circa 1750
Exceptional Object
DIMENSIONS : H. 22.05 .inØ 17.72 .in
PROVENANCE : Paris
PRICE : Contact us
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?Pair of terrestrial and celestial globes by L.C. Desnos, Paris circa 1750
A rare pair of library globes made by the geographer and engineer Louis-Charles Desnos, mounted on a turned and lacquered wooden base.
Each sphere, approximately thirty centimeters in diameter, consists of a papier-mâché and plaster core, covered with engravings on laid paper enhanced with watercolor.
The terrestrial globe presents the contemporary discoveries of the French and English expeditions of the mid-century. It bears a cartouche with the inscription: “Based on the Memoirs of the Members of the Royal Academy of Sciences / Dedicated / To Monsieur the Marquise / de Marigny, Counselor / to the King in his Councils / Commander of / his Orders, Director / and General Superintendent / of his Buildings, Gardens, Arts, Academy, and Royal Manufactories / By his humble and most obedient brother / Servant L. C. Desnos.” "The celestial globe illustrates the starry vault according to traditional constellations, enriched with delicate polychromy depicting mythological representations."
"The celestial globe illustrates the starry vault according to traditional constellations, enriched with delicate polychromy representing mythological figures." Cartouche: “Drawn According to the New Observations of the Members of the Royal Academy of Sciences by DESNOS, 1753.”
The two globes also bear the manufacturer's trademark: “Assembled and sold by DESNOS, Engineer for all Mathematical Instruments, rue Saint Jacques near the Saint Severin fountain, at the Sign of the Globe, PARIS 1768, With Royal Privilege.”
The two spheres are encircled by a graduated meridian in gilded wood and a horizon circle in wood covered with paper printed with the signs of the zodiac and the months of the year.
They rest on an elegant turned wooden base, decorated with Martin varnish of scrolls and gilded florets on a black background, in the style of Asian lacquer. This refined decoration, similar to that of the scientific instruments of the famous Abbé de Nollet, characterizes luxury productions. Mid-18th-century Parisian.
Our pair of globes represents the most refined and expensive version offered by Louis-Charles Desnos in his catalog.
Very fine condition. Paris, Louis XV period, circa 1760-1770.
Dimensions: Height: 56 cm; Total diameter: 45 cm; Diameter of globes: 30 cm
Louis-Charles Desnos (1725-1805)
An 18th-century geographer and engineer, Parisian bookseller, and maker of cartographic instruments, Louis-Charles Desnos operated "At the Sign of the Globe" on Rue Saint-Jacques, near the Saint-Séverin fountain. As a geographer and engineer for the globes and spheres of His Danish Majesty, he worked for King Christian VII of Denmark, for whom he was the official supplier.
His globes are among the finest Parisian scientific instruments of the 18th century. Lights.
