This Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere was crafted in 1562 by Gualterus Arsenius in Louvain, Belgium. Made of brass and silvered brass, there are 8 total rings fixed with small pins surrounding a terrestrial globe in the center. There are 2 vertical rings that are fixed perpendicular to each other and 5 parallel horizontal rings of the Arctic and Antarctic poles, the tropics, and the equator. There are zodiac names and symbols every 1° on the outermost vertical ring. The 8 rings are encased in a planetary cage that allows all the separate rings to rotate within and around each other. On the very top of the sphere there is a plate that is labeled with the 24-hour clock.
The sphere is mounted in a cradle that is resting on a horizon circle with the zodiacal calendar divided with names and symbols. On the same circle, there is also a Latin calendar which is divided into days. The horizon circle is supported by 4 arms with pierced strapwork and lions heads at the end where the arms connect with the cradle.
The plate is supported by 4 torsos, 2 male satyrs and 2 female busts with decorative crowning on the bottom half. They surround a circular plate on the very bottom of the sphere that contains a silvered central magnetic compass rose with a blue needle and 8 points on it.
Internal ecliptic axis. Similar to another armillary sphere dated 1575 in the Musée de Cinquantenaire, Brussels.
Inscription/Sig.
"NEPOS GEMMAE FRISV LOVANY FECIT ANNO 1562 GA" Wheels read "IN 7000 ANNI CIRCVMVOLVITVR"
