ILLUMINATED ART DECO 10” GLASS GLOBE BY REPLOGLE GLOBES INC, CHICAGO US 1930'S

While the 1925 Exposition des Arts Decorativs et Industriels Modernes in Paris launched the Art Deco movement, in the US a Group of Engineers, Architects and Artists forged a new American Design aesthetic (1925-1940) . Their work moved away from the decorative French mode towards the clean lines of the German Bauhaus movement, finally attaining its unmistakable American Modern Style. As a result, strikingly innovative objects were produced, from individual pieces of art to everyday use objects. One may think of buildings by Frankl, cocktail glasses designed by Bel Geddes or textile prints by Edward Steichen. The clean streamline features and the absence of tradition ornamental features introduced the American Middle Class to the Machine Age, where form and function finally merged. This fine object de art is a classic example.

Electric illuminated glass globes were produced for only a short period, from the late 1920’s to the late 1950’s, when economically more affordable and less labor intensive plastic replaced the glass globes with hand mounted paper gores. However, within that short period some of the most spectacular globe models had been produced, including this one. The same model can be found at the Vienna Globe museum, part of the National Library of Austria. Illuminated glass globes provide an exceptional, inviting warm glow that no plastic globe of today can imitate. The perfectly aged patina of this model provides a superb “vintage” look. One may consider this to be a great opportunity to obtain a true museum artifact.

Description: The orb itself is made of hand blown glass, covered with 12 individual paper gores applied by hand, representing the map. Mounted into a base made of cast iron (or pot metal) with brass accents. The half meridian and base are one piece and offer fab minimalistic deco accents. Diameter of the globe is 10 inches, with a total height of about 13 inches.

Condition: some scuffing, oxidation to metal. No cracks or chips. Lighting is not functional as the cord is missing the plug. The age of the orb is based on political borders displayed. I believe this is from 1936.