Terrestrial Illuminated Table Globe - Cartes Taride – Rare Surviving Illuminated Glass Globe – Steel Base & Aluminium Meridian – c. - 1950-1960

A striking and highly decorative 1950s illuminated glass globe by Cartes Taride, Paris, combining authentic vintage character with a wonderfully warm and atmospheric presence.
More than a geographical object, this globe is a beautiful interior design piece. Its compact proportions, elegant metal structure and wonderfully aged colours make it particularly appealing in Boho Chic, eclectic, Mid-Century and vintage interiors.
The globe is made from real glass, covered with its original finely printed cartographic surface and mounted within a graduated aluminium meridian on a substantial circular steel base. The contrast between the delicate glass sphere and the clean metallic structure gives the piece an elegant and timeless appearance.
When switched off, the globe displays a particularly attractive palette of turquoise blue, ochre, soft yellow, red, green and warm neutral tones, beautifully softened by more than six decades of natural ageing.
But it is when illuminated that the globe reveals its most captivating character.
The internal light transforms the colours into rich, warm shades of amber, gold and soft orange, creating an intimate and atmospheric glow. It works beautifully as an accent light on a side table, console, bookshelf or cabinet and immediately adds warmth and personality to an interior.
Its relatively small size is another part of its charm: at only 32 cm high, it has enough presence to attract attention without dominating a room.
Beyond its decorative appeal, this is also an interesting piece of historical cartography. The French-language maps preserve geographical and political names from a world that has since changed considerably and include principal navigation routes, railway lines, airports, ocean currents and radio stations.
The globe bears the Cartes Taride, Paris signature and the indication:
“Printed in Great Britain – George Philip & Son Ltd – London”
The original cartographic legend states:
“Diamètre 21 cm – Échelle 1:60.000.000”
This French-British connection between Cartes Taride and the renowned geographical publisher George Philip & Son adds an additional historical dimension to the object.
Dimensions:
Total height: approx. 32 cm
Glass globe diameter: 21 cm
Steel base diameter: approx. 14 cm
Globe circumference: approx. 66 cm
Scale: 1:60,000,000
The globe remains in good and highly decorative original vintage condition. Its cartographic surface shows genuine traces of age, including small areas of wear, abrasions and minor losses, clearly documented in the photographs. Rather than detracting from its appearance, these signs contribute to the authentic patina and unmistakable character of a genuine 1950s object.
The steel base and graduated aluminium meridian are well preserved and complement the globe beautifully.
The internal illumination is fully functional. The electrical system has been professionally checked and serviced, and the original plug has been replaced with a modern plug for safety.
The photographs show the globe both switched off and illuminated, demonstrating how dramatically its character changes with the light.
A beautiful surviving 1950s glass globe, increasingly difficult to encounter in this material and condition, combining warm atmospheric lighting, authentic vintage patina, elegant Mid-Century lines and historical cartography.
A piece that can be appreciated by a globe collector, but equally — and perhaps above all — as a distinctive decorative object capable of bringing warmth, colour and character to a Boho Chic or eclectic interior.