AN IMPORTANT AND RARE SET OF GLOBE GORES. The geography of these gores is clearly derived from the globes by Francois Demongenet, c. 1560 and Caspar Vopell of Cologne, c. 1536. This Nicolai globe and the 17 cms. globe by Johannes Oterschaden, are almost identical, their priority is unclear. The Nicolai globe is clearly dated while the Oterschaden is undated but accorded a date of c. 1600 by Dekker. Both makers come from the low countries or North Eastern France. Otershaden worked in the South of France.

Gulielmus Nicolai (fl.1573-1613) was an engraver and publisher, his imprint identifies that he came from the Low Countries but is best known to have worked in Lyons and then in Avignon in 1626. Very little is known about him. The gores form a globe of c. 17 cm. diameter, an example of which is in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. A further example was sold at Sotheby’s London on 6 July 2010 (lot 86 in ‘Important Furniture, Silver And Ceramics ‘, sold for £18,750).

A very rare set of gores. Shirley records just one set in the University Library Leiden. One further set appeared on the market in New York in 2008. Only three examples are currently known. Provenance: Howard E. Welsh Collection; acquired Sotheby’s New York 13 June 1991 lot 416. Dekker (1999) ‘Globes at Greenwich’ GLB0119; Shirley (1993) 241 (and refer 237 Oterschaden); Tooley’s Dictionary (1999-2004).