armillary sphere
- Museum number
- 1855,1201.221
- Description
-
Armillary sphere; gilt brass; turned, moulded and engraved short baluster column; domed base; three lion feet; fixed horizon ring on three cast and chased curved arms with stylised dolphins: zodiac signs, months; names of winds; meridian ring; rotating system of rings: celestial equator, equinoctial and solstial colures; tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, arctic and antarctic circles; broad band of the ecliptic with zodiac signs and degrees; ecliptic rings with sliding effigies of the sun and moon; central pivoted globe; dial on outside of meridian ring with silver chapter ring; square fixed to main rotating system of rings protrudes through centre of dial, indicating hand missing; small compass inset in base.
- Production date
- 17thC(early)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 208 millimetres (base)
-
Diameter: 253 millimetres (horizon ring)
-
Height: 383 millimetres
-
Length: 61 millimetres (radius of quadrant)
- Location
- On display (G38/dc1)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1997-2007: ‘A Glimpse of a Universe-Scientific Instruments from Renaissance Germany’ (British Museum, Gallery 44)
- Condition
-
Latest: 2 (Jul 2015)
-
2 (Feb 1996)
- Acquisition date
- 1855
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1855,1201.221
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: BL.3517 (Bernal Collection)