Office work requires a certain amount of comfort, with a desk organised in just the way that the worker wants. It is no different with a home office or a study, where the occupant needs to be surrounded by what inspires, what focuses and, most of all, what maintains that secure, comfortable feeling. For this reason, the items in a study are all very special, and amongst the most popular items are globes.
Exactly why a globe should be so favoured is not that hard to understand. As a representation of the world, it takes a person away from the humdrum of personal life and encourages one to take a wider view of things. The resulting effect is to inspire thought and generate ideas, both of which are useful traits to the academic, business person or student. However, personal taste is also important, which explains why there is such an array of options, from the armillary globe to the globe drinks cabinet.
Other items that are popular are ceremonial face masks from far flung places, sculpture and art work that, more often than not, are of a different culture rather than a familiar one, and nautical implements such as the brass compass or chart magnifier.
When it comes to the globe, there is no shortage of options to choose from, not only in terms of design but also in topic.
For example, the terrestrial globe with which we are all so familiar can be presented with different effects. The relief can be raised, meaning that the mountain ranges can be felt under thumb, while the colouring of the seas can be blue or antique, which is a light brown, aged tone.Obviously, a desk globe is small enough to sit discreetly on a desk, though there are larger versions that can measure around 12 inches in diameter.
The particular colours and raised relief options mean it is certain that the precise globe to complement the particular desk and room decor is available. Of course, the desk globe is small enough to be placed on window sills, on book shelves and on small tables.With regards to the floor standing globe range, there is an even greater array of choices. Typically, a floor standing version stands at around a meter high, and can have either a pedestal or cradle body. The pedestal is simply on long pole, holding a meridian or semi meridian frame into which the globe is set. The pedestal is often made of wood, with finishes such as walnut and dark cherry amongst the most popular, but it can be of metal also, with brass and gold and silver plating highly prized.
A cradle is called such because the globe sits inside the leg frame itself, appearing as though it has broken through a table top. This design is much sturdier, with three or four legs holding up the meridian in which the globe itself is set. This design means the globe and body is generally looked upon as an item of decorative furniture, though it provides a far greater impression than simple furniture.
Of course, a globe does not have to depict a map of the world. Besides the fact that world maps through the ages are available in globe form, from modern day to the 17th and 18th centuries, it is also possible to find those depicting the ocean floors, the moon, one of the other planets or even the sun. This means that the specific interests of the occupant can be served.
So, if the occupant has a love for the sea, then along with a model sailing ship, ship bell and brass compass, one can place a maritime globe depicting the oceans, seas and the terrain below them. Or, if he or she has an interest in the stars, a constellation globe can depict the stars, to complement what other items of intrigue are placed in the room.
Most of us prefer to use globes to map out our route when we decide to travel, be it around the world or just on holiday to the next continent, especially when children want to know where we are going.
Its use as an educational tool can never be underestimated, though its range of alternative uses should not be forgotten either, with the globe drinks cabinet a favourite feature among globe owners.
