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
Description
In November 1944, R.S. Whipple’s donation to the University of Cambridge was put on show in the East Rooms of the Old Schools. The University accepted the donation on the condition that they found a new institution within which to house the collection.
Whipple himself wrote a guidebook to this exhibition, describing some of the more important objects and books on show. The front cover includes the following declaration: “The Exhibits are drawn from the Collection which Mr R.S. Whipple is presenting to the University and will form a nucleus for a History of Science Museum and Library in Cambridge.”
Whipple’s own explanatory text for this object is:
"Armillary sphere. On brass stand, 8 1/2 in. diam. Marked "Fenig fecit". The sphere is supported by a figure of Atlas. c. 1700."
17/10/2025
Created by: Hannah Price on 17/10/2025
FM:40156
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