How a London Atelier Is Reimagining the Globe for Modern Collectors

"Globemaking is often described as a 'forgotten' craft. I think the market was saturated with plastic globes through a period where mass consumption of cheap 'throw-away' products were being more heavily embraced. When we were starting out, I noticed a shift towards people wanting to own fewer things with more meaning behind them."

"Within their London studio, cartographers, painters, woodworkers, and metalworkers collaborate to create entirely bespoke worlds - each one painstakingly shaped, painted, and assembled by hand. Solid and robust, every piece rests on the studio's signature ball-bearing base, allowing it to rotate smoothly in all directions."

"For centuries, the globe was a symbol of intellect and influence, a fixture in libraries, boardrooms, and private studies. It conveyed not only wealth but also a curiosity about the wider world. Then came mass production, digital mapping, and the slow fade of a once-revered craft."

Bellerby & Co., a London-based studio, is revitalizing the centuries-old craft of globemaking, which declined due to mass production and digital mapping. The studio employs cartographers, painters, woodworkers, and metalworkers who collaborate to create entirely bespoke, hand-crafted globes mounted on signature ball-bearing bases. Each globe is meticulously shaped, painted, and assembled by hand. The resurgence reflects a cultural shift away from disposable consumer products toward meaningful, quality items. Social media platforms, particularly Instagram, have played an unexpected role in celebrating traditional craftsmanship and generating renewed interest in artisanal globe production.

Read at Elite Traveler