The Dauphin's Globe(s)
Louis XVI commissioned this extraordinary globe in 1786; it was meant to serve his son, the dauphin Louis Joseph, for his geography lesson. The globe is supported by three dolphins and is actually two globes in one: a terrestrial and a celestial. It was made by Edmé Mentelle (geographer) in collaboration with Jean-Tobie Mercklein (mechanic), painted by François Vernet and finally gilded by Jean-Nicolas Gardeur. The inner globe shows the raised land borders and sea ridges in relief. Furthermore, there is another interesting feature: the upper part of the outer globe is Old World while the lower part is the New World.
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