An intricate etching on ostrich eggs joined together to make a sphere is the oldest globe of the New World ever to be discovered.
Latin inscriptions and delicate outlines of countries informed by knowledge of explorers such as Christopher Columbus, made in the early 1500s cover the sphere, but the origin of the globe is a mystery.
A cartographer believes the globe could have been made in Florence, Italy and claims that the skilful engraver could even have crafted the object in the workshop of Leonardo da Vinci.
An intricate etching on ostrich eggs joined together could be the oldest globe of the New World to ever be discovered. The delicate outlines of countries are informed by knowledge of explorers such as Christopher Columbus, made in the early 1500s. It's origin is a mystery
Just seven names mark the Western Hemisphere (pictured) and none denote North America, which is shown as a group of islands. However, three names are marked in South America: Mundus novus, - New World - Terra de Brazil and Terra Sanctae Crucis, which translates as 'land of the holy cross'
The globe contains different types of ships, monsters, waves, a marooned sailor struck by a shipwreck, 71 place names and one sentence that reads 'hic svnt dracones' or 'here be dragons'. Cartographers have said that for many countries, including Japan and Brazil, the globe is the oldest that marks their country
The globe (pictured) is about the size of a grapefruit and is constructed from the lower halves of two ostrich eggs to make it almost spherical. A cartographer believes the globe could have been made in Florence, Italy and claims it could have come from the workshop of Leonardo da Vinci. It is pictured with plain ostrich eggs
