The armillary sphere shows the Earth (a central ball) surrounded by rings (armilla in Latin) which represent the great circles of the heavens. It was widely used during the 17th and 18th centuries in scientific debates over the relative merits of the competing central Earth and central Sun theories. Our simplified, decorative brass version makes a handsome ornament for the desk or garden.Stands approximately 12” high, made from solid machined brass with an antique finish and polished wooden base.