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This charming representation of the classic Armillary Sphere was a custom commission by the amazingly artistic and creative founder of Velocity Circus-Arts and Entertainment, Gregangelo. He has a fascination with the heavens and has also commissioned us to make a Centaur Weathervane for his home. Centaurus is a famous constellation in the Southern sky.
The armillary sphere was an early astronomical device for representing the great circles of the heavens including, in the most elaborate instruments, the horizon, meridian, Equator, tropics, polar circles, and an ecliptic hoop. The earliest armillary sphere was believed to have been the invention of Alexandrine Greeks (c. ad 140), but earlier and simpler types of ring instruments were also in general use. Ptolemy, the famous Egyptian astronomer of Greek descent, is believed to have used one in his studies of the heavens. Ours is, by necessity, a more simplified version, but conveys the beauty of these early attempts to better understand our place in the universe.
Our Armillary Sphere Weathervane consists of three great copper rings with an earthlike orb in the center that is bisected by an upward tilted arrow. The star, which serves as the arrow’s fletching, also acts as the “wind catcher”, assuring the weathervane will turn freely.
One customer for this vane added an optional decorative element of spun copper below the armillary sphere and requested optional gold leafing on each of the three globes and the arrow tip and fletching. Another customer requested optional gilded words on the bands, and that was very effective (it is pictured above). Call if you would like to discuss pricing to personalize in this way or any other.
Often a ball representing the Earth was placed in its center, and later, the Sun. It was used to demonstrate the motion of the stars around the Earth. Before the advent of the European telescope in the 17th century, the armillary sphere was the prime instrument of all astronomers in determining celestial positions.
In its simplest form, consisting of a ring fixed in the plane of the equator, the armilla is one of the most ancient of astronomical instruments and is today a charming homage to the wonders of our solar system, and the evolution of our exploration of it.
Please enjoy our Greek Mythology Gallery
Greek Mythology Gallery
Click on images to enlarge |  |  |
| Zeus Weathervane | Galloping Centaur Weathervane | Pegasus Weathervane |
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| Armillary Sphere Weathervane | Moon Goddess Weathervane | Goddess Nike Weathevane |
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| Standing Centaur Weathervane |