Early 20th Century French Terrestrial Globe on Iron Base by J. Forest, Paris

$2,400

About

Decorate an office or a desk with this beautifully preserved antique terrestrial globe. Crafted in France, circa 1930, the terrestrial piece is mounted on a gilt painted cast iron tripod pedestal base decorated with shell and floral motifs. The brass stem holds the 12″ swivel globe which is signed J. Forrest Paris (see picture), and stamped as such; “Globe Terrestre a l’echelle de 40,000,000, dresse par J. Forrest, Geographe, Officier de l’Instruction Publique, Girard et Barrere, Geographes Editeurs, Fournisseurs du Ministere de l’Instruction Publique, 17-19 Rue de Buci, Paris”. The colorful globe is in good condition commensurate with age and use, with a rich patinated finish. J. Forest made a large variety of globes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, largely for school use, but also for home use. Their prolific output included table globes, some on ebonized turned stands; floor globes; and novelty globes, including terrestrial globes on geared turntable stands, and cigarette lighters incorporating globes. In the 20th century Forest produced light up globes, including modernist aluminum bases. Forest globes were mainly labeled in French, with some for export in English or Spanish. In the early 20th century, J. Forest was apparently succeeded by the geographical publishing firm Girard & Barrere, which continued to offer “Globes Forest” at the same Rue de Buci address in Paris that Forest used. Measures: 14″ diameter 28″ height.

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