The two globes underwent anoxic treatment.

In addition to the restoration project, the restorer deemed it necessary to provide a new support base for proper and safe display.

In this regard, many types of support with different shapes and materials (wood, metal, or plexiglass) were proposed, but the final choice was oriented, on the curator's indication and design, toward a black-painted wooden base.

Inside the two globes, there will be a recreation of the so-called dead man's stick (inner support stick), now lost, to restore the correct inclination of the Earth's axis.

Meridian rings will have to be made, again in wood, which will be bound to the new bases we have made. They will return the stability, proper position, and correct artwork reading.

The two globes are currently at the Scientific Research Laboratory, where the restorers are performing the following analyses:

• XRF
• endoscopy for Globe MV.70156
• non-destructive FTIR
• false color infrared
• ultraviolet
• 3D reconstruction

Once the analyses are completed, the restorer will repair the surface abrasions and gaps.

CELESTIAL GLOBE

This small Celestial Globe (inventory number 70155) was engraved by Matthias Greuter in 1636, as shown by the dedication, and measures 27 cm in diameter. It appears to be in fair condition, and the finishing varnish does not seem altered, while areas of layered erosion caused by insects (silverfish and woodworms) are visible on the surface. The watercolor paints appear stable and in good condition, while the head restorer of the Paper Laboratory, Chiara Fornaciari, found it necessary to replace the bases of the two globes. Indeed, it is a heavy stone base of recent manufacture that does not provide any stability to the celestial globe.

For this reason, the Painting and Wood Restoration Laboratory has been consulted and is studying a new arrangement that will be correct from the points of view of conservation, functionality, and historical reading.

TERRESTRIAL GLOBE 

The Terrestrial Globe (inventory number 70156) was engraved by Giovanni Battista Nicolosi in the second half of the 17th century. This small globe measures 27 cm in diameter and appears in fair condition. Watercolored only along some of the boundary lines of the lands depicted, it shows, as does the celestial globe, areas of surface erosion caused by insects (silverfish and woodworms). Also mounted on a stone base, it has a large hole at the bottom that will allow the restorer to investigate inside the globe to study its construction technique.

• Dusting with brushes and microaspiration
• Grouting of abrasions and holes due to xylophagous insects
• Consolidating fragile parts of the paper surface
• Closure of the cracks present on the surface of the globe inv. MV.70156
• Consolidation of the lower part of the globe inv. 70156
• Veiling of the abraded parts with pastels
• Chromatic rebalancing of the fillings
• Mounting on new support created by the Painting and Wood Laboratory