Unearth the forgotten
art of globe making
Following the lost precepts of an ancient Venetian tome, my quest to restore the mastery of the past has begun.
I'm leonardo frigo a london based italian artist and globe maker
In the craft of art, History is my compass
With my work, I strive to bridge history and art. After translating the Divine Comedy onto violins that tell stories beyond notes, I spent years reviving ancient craftsmanship across Italy.
The result is a collection of globes that capture the unique spirit of the old Venetian Republic.
TheGlobe
Each globe is crafted using 17th-century techniques and materials thanks to the combined efforts of skillful artisans from all over Italy.
Handmade globes
from a peerless past
from a peerless past
In 1693, the Venetian cosmographer Vincenzo Coronelli wrote the Epitome Cosmografica, an invaluable testament from history's most fabled globe-builder.
Three centuries later, his teachings are once again put into practice.
Our Materials
Copper Plates
Maps are meticulously etched onto copper plates and hand-printed with oil-based ink for precise details.
Watercolours
Hand-crafted in Assisi with natural pigments, these colours ensure vividness and purity while honoring tradition.
Fabriano Paper
In the town of Fabriano, the European cradle of paper-making, a custom-made loom recreates Coronelli's 17th-century paper.
Larch Resin
Renowned in the 1700s for its strength and durability, this resin is used to provide a high quality finish.
Shellac
Used for finishing surfaces, this resin, obtained from the cochineal secretion, offers a natural shine and long-lasting protectiveness.
Starch glue
This glue, a mixture of 'beech marten heart' starch, resins and essential oils, is entirely chemical-free and long-lasting.
Jute fiber
The fabric of natural jute fibres, an environmentally friendly and sustainable raw material, lends the globe a unique resilience.
Chalk
The globe is moulded using only high-quality chalk, which guarantees a remarkably smooth and even surface.
Wood
The globe is made of wood, as Coronelli prescribes, to ensure a durable skeleton to this elaborate piece of work.
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