Hemelglobe in houten stoel 1700

This celestial globe and stand was made by Gerard Valck around the turn of the 18th century, using wood, paper, and brass. A celestial globe such as this one was not only a scientific instrument, but also a demonstration of its owner’s wealth and education. The constellations are carefully printed onto paper gores, which are then applied to the sphere. Note how the printed lines and images must align perfectly to give an illusion of a complete, continuous surface. Likewise, the wooden stand is not just functional, but also finely crafted. The legs are turned on a lathe, a technology that dates back to antiquity, and then ebonized to imitate the costlier material ebony. Objects like this invite us to consider the many hands involved in their making. From the papermaker and the printer, to the woodworker and the brass founder, each contributed their skills to the finished product. Considering these histories of making challenges any simple distinction between art, craft, and industry.