Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Armillary Sphere
Signed by Girolamo della Volpaia
Dated 1564; Italian
Brass; 700 mm in height

This large armillary sphere is made up of moveable brass rings, mounted between the meridian circle and the horizontal circle. The whole device rests on a heavy base of burnished brass with moulded, elaborate feet.

A crystal sphere, placed at the centre of the rings, probably represents the aqueous part of the earth.

The instrument is signed by Girolamo della Volpaia, son of Camillo and a maker of observational and measuring instruments, like the other members of his family.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 2711

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