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Collections

Abraham Gessner
Globe Cupcirca 1600

Not on view
Gilt silver decorative globe on a figurative stand; Atlas figure supports a large engraved terrestrial globe topped with a small armillary sphere and foliate bracket
Silver and parcel-gilt standing cup in the form of a terrestrial globe, with engraved continents and oceans, supported by a small standing figure, crowned by a smaller armillary sphere atop a gilt scrollwork finial, all raised on a circular molded base.
Two silver-gilt standing cups with engraved cartographic maps on their bowls and gold-washed interiors. The taller cup at left is supported by a cast male figure on a stepped circular base; the smaller cup at right stands on an ornate openwork tripod base. A small spherical object rests between them.
Silver and gilt table globe on a figural stand; a small human figure supports a large engraved terrestrial sphere with gilded cartographic details, topped by an armillary ring and smaller celestial globe, all mounted on a chased circular base with ornate scrollwork.
Silver engraved terrestrial globe with detailed cartographic lettering in Latin script, suspended from a gilt foliate mount at top and supported below by a small silver figure in a crouching pose.
Silver and gilt terrestrial globe supported by a small cast figure, engraved with continental outlines, ocean names in Latin including 'Oceanus Indicus,' and place names in fine script; ornate gilt finial at top.
Silver and gilt terrestrial globe with engraved cartography showing oceans and landmasses with Latin inscriptions, supported by a small silver figure of Atlas, topped with a gilt foliate finial.
Silver and gilt metal celestial or terrestrial globe suspended above a standing male figure with arms raised to support it, engraved with cartographic details including coastlines, place names in Latin script, and the inscription "Terra Australis," topped with an ornate gilt finial.
Silver and gilt celestial or terrestrial globe with engraved cartography showing the Americas and Pacific Ocean, with Latin place names and sea monsters in the ocean areas; supported by a silver figure of Atlas; ornate gilt finial at top.
Silver and gilt terrestrial globe supported by a small sculptural figure, engraved with maps of the Americas, South America, and surrounding oceans, with Latin place names including "Peru," "Brasil," and "Oceanus Peruvianus"; ornate gilt finial at top.
Silver engraved terrestrial globe showing Europe, Africa, and Asia, with Latin place names and geographic labels incised across the surface; gilt decorative mount visible at the top pole.
Silver terrestrial globe with engraved cartographic detail showing Europe, Africa, and Asia, with Latin place names including "Oceanus Indicus" and "Golfo Benga"; gilt decorative mount at the apex.
Silver terrestrial globe showing Asia, the Indian Ocean, and surrounding regions, engraved with Latin place names and coastlines, with gilded fittings at the crown.
Engraved silver and gilt terrestrial globe, upper hemisphere showing the Americas with finely incised landmasses, coastlines, and Latin place names including "MEXICANA," "California," and "Tropicus Cancri," with gilt decorative mount at apex.
Engraved silver terrestrial globe, upper hemisphere showing the Americas with finely incised coastlines, place names in Latin script including "Florida," "Hispania," and "Golfo Mexi," with gilt accents at the pole mount and decorative cartouches along the lower edge.
Silver-gilt standing cup with a male figure supporting a wide engraved bowl overhead; figure has a beard, draped cloth, and polished silver finish; bowl engraved with Latin text and cartographic details; ornate gilt base below.
Silver and parcel-gilt standing cup; a male figure with draped cloth raises one arm to support a wide shallow bowl with engraved decoration; circular gilt base with inscribed Latin lettering.
Parcel-gilt silver standing cup; a male figure with draped cloth raises both arms to support a wide shallow bowl engraved with map-like inscriptions in Latin script; figure stands on a circular molded base with relief decoration.
Parcel-gilt silver tazza, its stem formed by a standing male figure with curly beard, draped cloth at his side, arms raised to support a wide shallow bowl engraved with cartographic designs; tiered circular base with repoussé ornament.
Silver and gilt terrestrial globe with engraved cartography showing oceans and landmasses with Latin inscriptions, supported by a small silver figure of Atlas, topped with gilt scrollwork finial.
Silver and gilt terrestrial globe with engraved cartographic detail showing the Americas, supported by a silver figure of Atlas; gilt scrollwork finial at top; Latin place names visible including 'Peru,' 'Brasil,' and 'Golfo Mexi[co]'
Close-up of a gilt silver vessel's rim, showing a finely engraved frieze of figures in exotic dress, riders on horseback, and animals, with the inscription "ASIA" below; bordered by bands of oval and heart-shaped ornamental patterns.
Partial view of a silver and gilt ceremonial dish with concentric decorative bands; the widest band features an engraved figural scene with multiple standing figures, labeled "EVROPA" in Roman capitals below; surrounding bands display shell motifs, scrollwork, and heart-shaped punched borders; raised central boss with cast ornamental fittings.
Parcel-gilt silver basin, partial view showing engraved figural frieze labeled "AFRICA" with multiple standing and kneeling figures, framed by concentric bands of egg-and-dart, bead, and shell ornament; raised central boss with chased cartouche above.
Detail of a silver gilt dish with engraved and repoussé decoration; a wide border band contains a figural scene with standing and kneeling figures, a boat, and a vessel, flanked by shell cartouches and scroll ornament; the word "AMERICA" is inscribed below the scene; concentric decorative bands of heart-shaped motifs and bead-and-reel ornament frame the composition.
Artist or Maker
Abraham Gessner
Switzerland, Zurich, 1552-1613
Title
Globe Cup
Place Made
Switzerland
Date Made
circa 1600
Medium
Silver, parcel-gilt
Dimensions
Overall: Height: 23 5/16 in. (59.1 cm) Diameter: 7 1/2 in (19.05 cm) Celestial Globe (top element): 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 in Northern Hemisphere (middle element): Height: 9 in. Diameter: 7 1/2 in Base & Southern Hemisphere (lower element): Height: 13 1/4 in Diameter: 7 1/4 in
Credit Line
William Randolph Hearst Collection
Accession Number
51.13.9a-c
Classification
Furnishings
Collecting Area
Decorative Arts and Design
Selected Bibliography
  • Keene, Bryan C., editor. Toward a Global Middle Ages: Encountering the World Through Illuminated Manuscripts. Los Angeles: The J. Paul Getty Museum, 2019.

  • Blondet, José Luis. Six Scripts for Not I: Throwing Voices (1500 BCE-2020 CE). Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2020.

  • Zumaya, Diva. The World Made Wondrous: the Dutch Collector's Cabinet and the Politics of Possession. Los Angeles: Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 2023.