Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and AstronomyStevenson, Edward Luther
History
Terrestrial and Celestial Globes Volume 2: Their History and Construction Including a Consideration of their Value as Aids in the Study of Geography and Astronomy
Stevenson, Edward Luther
Geography -- History; Globes
To the makers of armillary spheres in the first half of the seventeenth
century there may be added the name of Adam Heroldt, a native of
Germany. We know little, however, of the extent of his activities. One
example of his work is known, which bears the simple inscription
engraved near the south polar circle “Adam Heroldt fecit Romae anno dn̄i
MDCIL.” “Made by Adam Heroldt in the year 1649.” This sphere once
belonged to the astronomer De Gasparis of Naples, but passed some years
since into the collection of the Museo Astronomico of Rome. It is
constructed entirely of brass, the diameter of the largest circle being
about 14 cm. Its several circles, including the polar, the equatorial,
the zodiacal, and the horizon, are graduated, the last-named having
engraved on its surface the names of the months and of the winds, and
resting on two semicircles, which in turn are supported by an
artistically designed foot. The entire height of the sphere is about 20
cm. At the north pole is an hour circle bearing the inscription “Index
Hor: Italic.” Within and at the common center of the several circles is
a small ball representing the terrestrial sphere, which has a diameter
of but 1 cm., and within the circle of the ecliptic and coördinated with
it is a ring carrying the sun, while within this is one for the moon.
The piece may be referred to as a fine example of the armillary sphere
of the period.
Manfredo Settàla (1600-1680)[59], a nobleman of Italy, was in his day a
distinguished promoter of science and art, and an intelligent collector
of rare objects, which he brought together in a museum of his own
founding. This he described in a work bearing title ‘Museum
Septalianum,’ which was published in Italian in the year 1666 by
Scarabelli. This museum later passed into the possession of the
Ambrosiana of Milan, where it has been considered one of the choicest
additions.
Settàla had included globes in his collection, among which there has
previously been mentioned that made by the Cremonese Gianelli, in the
year 1549. But not only was he a collector; he likewise became
interested in the actual work of globe construction. Among the objects
coming to the Ambrosiana from his museum is an armillary sphere bearing
the inscription, “Manfredus Settalius fecit MDCXLVI.”[60] It is
described as a sphere having a base of brass, its several circles
including those representing the zodiac, the equator, the meridians, and
the horizon, all being movable on a common axis, on which axis at the
common center of the circles is a small ball 4 cm. in diameter,
representing the earth. To this sphere rather extravagant praise is
given in the descriptive catalogue referred to above.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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