Restoring The Globes
The celestial and terrestrial globes are nearly 400 years old. They showed wear-and-tear and damage caused by use, previous restorations, and prolonged exposure to air and light. They were in urgent need of restoration, which we ware able to perform in 2012-2013.
The restoration of the globes proceeded in three major phases. First, the old layers of finishing had to be removed, including in the same process and as far as feasible, the surface dirt and residue of previous restorations.
Celestial globe during restoration (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Old varnish coating
The old varnish coating on the globes presented problems: it was not the original laminate, consisted of several layers, wasn't applied equally, had yellowed, and showed numerous cracks. As the varnish layer was worn thin, the paper was no longer protected.
Especially in the northern hemisphere of both globes, the paper surface manifested a great many missing sections. Black-grey surface dirt and soot gave the globes a dull greyish appearance.
Restoration studio (2012) by Francien Van DaelenHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Varnished layers
During the paper restoration process, the earlier varnished layers were removed. Fractures in the globes’ shell, lacunas and missing sections were repaired and the original colours restored. Next, new protective layers were applied to the paper.
Detail of the constellation Cetus on the celestial globe before restoration (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
The Head of Cetus
During the restoration it was discovered that the image of the head of the Seamonster, the constellation of Cetus, was badly damaged. It is the only part of the entire globe in which the restorer, in consultation with us, redrew the original image on the map.
Detail of the constellation Cetus on the celestial globe after restoration (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
For this she was able to consult an identical globe, making sure the new head was historically accurate.
Wooden part of cradle mount (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Wood restoration
Soot, dirt, and the ravages of time had turned the oaken mountings of both globes dirty and had darkened their appearance. A few of the wooden connections of the mountings appeared loose and unstable.
The central mounting support of the celestial globe had been partially replaced and the replacement part left uncoloured. The wood restorer made the repairs, removed the surface dirt and the dark layer of soot and applied a new protective finishing coat.
Metal parts (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Metal components
The metal components of the globes, such as its hour circle and the metal pole caps, were badly tarnished. The metal restorer removed the surface dirt and applied a new protective coating.
Metal parts (1649) by UnknownHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
The glass was missing from the compass of the celestial globe. A glass replacement was installed with a new metal ring to firmly affix the glass piece into the wooden grooves of the compass.
X-ray examination
On their way home, in early September 2013, the globes made a stop at the depots of the Royal Museum of Fine Art in Antwerp for a x-ray examination. The images reveal a wealth of information about the hidden history of the manufacturing of these globes.
Two half spheres
A globe is composed of two half spheres made of paper-maché and glued together. Inside the globe a wooden axis construction is attached to the inside of the shell, by means of long metal staples.
Bottom of the terrestrial globe with metal pin (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Wooden main axes and small pouches with lead beads
Metal pins are inserted into the wooden main axes, which extend from the South Pole to the North Pole of the globe. These can be turned in the metal band that half spans the sphere (the meridian) so that the globe is capable of rotating.
In the case of the 68 centimetre globes, cross axes are added in order to strengthen the construction.
Most globes were balanced by placing small pouches filled with lead beads which where attached inside the shell. The examination showed that no such pouches were present in the case of the Conscience Library globes.
X-ray of the celestial globe (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Cross section of terrestrial globe
This image shows the full cross-section of the terrestrial globe. The connection between the North and South Poles by the wooden axis construction and the attachment by metal staples and pins is clearly visible.
There is just one crossbeam which is attached with staples only on one side of the inside of the globe.
X-ray of terrestrial globe (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
The dark spot on the picture points to an earlier restoration of the plaster sphere and of the paper drawing.
The large disk in front in the centre may indicate an opening made to facilitate the globe’s construction.
Cradle mount
To remain upright a globe is seated inside a cradle mount. The metal meridian around the sphere rests on a rotating support located in the centre of the bottom plate of this mount.
Bottom plate of the cradle mount
Underneath this bottom plate run two crossbeams towards the construction’s four feet, which do not touch the ground. The cross underneath the bottom plate rotates and rests on a triangular base with egg-shaped feet. This base pediment bears the entire weigh.
Paper strips with globe's cartographic design (1645/1648) by Willem Jansz.BlaeuHeritage Library Hendrik Conscience
Paper strips with cartographic design
The paper-maché is covered with a chalk glue coating to smooth out the surface. This coating is covered with paper strips or ‘gores’, onto which the globe’s cartographic design has been printed.
The paper is coloured by hand and sometimes finished with gold leaf. A varnish coating protects the images and forms the outermost layer.
3D model
The globes also paid a visit to Ghent University. Here, the restored globes were digitised. The digital 3D model allows everyone to discover the globes on their own.
Terrestrial globe in 3D
Celestrial globe in 3D
This virtual exhibit was created by Heritage Library Hendrik Conscience. Visit us at www.consciencebibliotheek.be.
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.