Accession No

0911

Brief Description

Ptolemaic armillary sphere, supported on the shoulders of a bronze statuette of Atlas, by Jenig, late 18th century

Origin

Maker

Wolfgang Paul Jenig

Class

astronomy

Earliest Date

1770

Latest Date

1805

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass, bronze)

Dimensions

diameter of horizon ring 252mm; overall height 405mm

Special Collection

Robert Whipple collection

Provenance

Inscription

‘Jenig fecit’ (ecliptic ring)

Description Notes

Armillary sphere, supported on the shoulders of a bronze statuette of Atlas, by Jenig, 18th C.

Brass sphere supported on bronze statuette of Atlas on square base with four ball feet. Brass meridian circle graduated [0] - [90˚] - [0] - [90˚] - [0], numbered by 10˚, divided to 1˚. Polar axis with small central bead to represent earth. Equinoctial and solstitial colures graduated [0] - [90˚] - [0] - [90˚] - [0], numbered by 10˚, divided to 1˚. Arctic and Antarctic circles. Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn both graduated [0] - [360˚], numbered by 10˚, divided to 1˚. Equator graduated [0] - [360˚], numbered by 10˚, divided to 1˚. Hour circle at North pole graduated 1 - 12, 1 - 12, numbered by 1, divided to 30 minutes. Ecliptic ring graduated by zodiacal sign, marked by symbol and name, each sign divided [0] - 30˚, numbered by 10˚, divided to 1˚. [Scales on Tropics and equator all start at first of Aries; colure and meridian scales start at equator]
The whole rests in slots in horizon circle; horizon graduated by calendrical scale and zodiacal scale. Zodiac divided to signs with names marked. Calendar divided to named months, numbered by 5. Supported on bronze cradle with disc over the shoulders of Atlas; arms raised onto cradle; on one knee with head bowed.

Condition fair (ecliptic ring slightly battered); complete

References

Events