33. Kuthing Swatow Co., 1895
[Teacup Globe]
Smith Collection: SM-1895-34
www.oshermaps.org/map/2353.0001

This Chinese pewter globe (#33), made in 1895, is a terrestrial globe that lacks much accuracy but makes a great collector’s piece. The Chinese characters on the globe label major countries, bodies of water, and continents.

The globe has a hinged lid that opens to a hollow column in the middle of the globe. Inside is a removable lidded container, also made of pewter.

This globe was originally made by the Kuthing Swatow Co. as one piece of a complete tea set. Each piece of the tea set was contained inside globes like this one. The globes contained lidded containers, cups, and even a tiny functional teapot.