armillary sphere with 3-inch globe
Datecirca 1837
Inventory Number1997-1-1820
ClassificationArmillary Sphere
Subject
Maker
D. C. & A. Murdock
fl. 1837
User
Harvard College
founded 1636
User
Radcliffe College
1894 - 1999
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsclosed: 46.5 × 41.8 × 34.5 cm (18 5/16 × 16 7/16 × 13 9/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionA pocket-sized globe, with 3-inch diameter, is fixed on its axis in a brass cradle. The cradle is surrounded by a brass ring held in the plane of the equator by three spokes. A brass wire extends from the north pole of the globe. The globe assembly is set into a turned wooden pillar and freely rotates around the axis of the ecliptic sphere.
The turned wooden pillar is the shortest pillar of three similar pillars and is in the center position of the a line of the three pillars. The two outermost pillars have brass fittings that support an movable armillary cage that encloses the globe assembly. The cage is hemispherical and formed by a brass ring surmounted by two bent wires. One wire is no longer attached to the brass ring on one side. Where the wires meet, there is a short brass rod. The rod is at the pole of the ecliptic sphere when the brass ring is horizontal. The rod also serves as a handle for tipping the cage. A knurled thumbscrew on top of one wooden column can lock the armillary at a desired angle with respect to the globe.
The base consists of two rectangular blocks of wood hinged together. A notch on one side shows that there was hardware at one time to hold the blocks together. The purpose of the extending base is unclear.
The turned wooden pillar is the shortest pillar of three similar pillars and is in the center position of the a line of the three pillars. The two outermost pillars have brass fittings that support an movable armillary cage that encloses the globe assembly. The cage is hemispherical and formed by a brass ring surmounted by two bent wires. One wire is no longer attached to the brass ring on one side. Where the wires meet, there is a short brass rod. The rod is at the pole of the ecliptic sphere when the brass ring is horizontal. The rod also serves as a handle for tipping the cage. A knurled thumbscrew on top of one wooden column can lock the armillary at a desired angle with respect to the globe.
The base consists of two rectangular blocks of wood hinged together. A notch on one side shows that there was hardware at one time to hold the blocks together. The purpose of the extending base is unclear.
Signedon globe cartouche: MADE / by / D. C. & A. MURDOCK / WEST BOYLSTON / MASS.
Inscribedstamped on base in black ink (twice): 16 18
Historical AttributesUsed for teaching astronomy at Harvard or Radcliffe.
Fizpribor
Date: 1959
Accessories: Instruction manual written in Russian, 1957. (in instrument file folder)
Object number: 2006-1-0109
French
Date: early 19th Century
Object number: 1998-1-1112
