While the 1925 Exposition des Arts Decorativs et Industriels Modernes in Paris launched the Art Deco Movement, in the US a group of Engineers, Architects and Artists forged a new American Design aesthetic. Their work moved away from the decorative French mode towards the clean lines of the German Bauhaus movement, finally attaining its unmistakable American Modern Style. As a result, strikingly innovative objects were produced, from individual pieces of art to everyday use objects. One may think of buildings by Frankl, cocktail glasses designed by Bel Geddes or textile prints by Edward Steichen. The clean, streamline features and abstinence of traditional ornamental features introduced the American Middle Class to the Machine Age, where form and function finally merged. This exceptional airplane globe is a fine example. Political borders represent 1949, post WW2 and at the dawn of the Cold War Era. With its superb American Modern Base, this globe is not only a vintage scientific instrument but also undeniably a fine piece of art. The orb itself consists of hand-blown glass, covered with 12 hand applied paper gores representing the map. When illuminated, the sphere offers an intimate and warm ambiance. The base consists of a fluid Airplane mate of metal and finished in bronze with copper accents. Total height is 17 inches, diameter 12 inches. Well preserved, with minimal wear in form of minor scuffing. A testament to sophisticated elegance, this artifact is an heirloom for generations to come. The same model can be found in the National Library of Austria Globe Museum. $585 — Item #: D712WCAIRILL57 - SOLD