Armillary/Zodiac Sphere paperweight

Armillary spheres were developed to aid scientific debate, with Earth representing the centre of the Universe in those made according to the Ptolemaic system, and with the Sun as centre in the (later) Copernican model. Our models are of 16th century Ptolemaic versions, so the central body represents the Earth, with the rings around it defining the firmament, or the sphere upon which the fixed stars and planets reside. The band going around the sphere, at an angle to the equator represents the Zodiac, along with the twelve star signs are represented by the appropriate symbols. The line running through the middle of this band defines the ecliptic (path followed by the Sun). Has mahogany-stained base, with non-tarnishing brass-effect metalwork.

Height 5"