This Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere was crafted in Antwerp, Belgium in 1591 by Michel Coignet and is the only known sphere to be signed by him. Made of brass, the sphere contains the typical rings of an armillary sphere, denoting the equator, tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, and Arctic and Antarctic circles. On the sphere there are three great circles: the celestial equator, the equinoctial, and the solstitial colures. These intersect perpendicularly to the two celestial poles. On the north pole of the sphere, there is an hour scale that is divided every 15 minutes and marked at 1 and 12 twice. The ecliptic band is labeled with zodiacal symbols and constellations, and each sign also includes one star name except for Virgo. There is a terrestrial globe in the center of the model.
The meridian circle is mounted in a cradle, and the horizon circle on the cradle is engraved with a zodiacal and year calendar, saints’ days, and feasts. The horizon circle is supported by four columns mounted on a cross-shaped base, with a compass on one arm. At the center of the cross is a baluster that supports the meridian circle. The base stands on four brass balls.
