Many historians disagree with the exact timing and location of the origin of the armillary sphere, as very little evidence has been left behind, due to their fragile nature. However, it is said that Ancient Greek astronomers and mathematicians, such as Claudius Ptolemy of Alexandria, wrote about observational armillary spheres that were larger than demonstrational ones.

Demonstrational armillaries became a thing of sophistication, wealth and elegance during the Middle Ages in Western Europe and continued to be produced as ornaments for the home, garden or as additions to monuments and buildings.

Designed originally to be mathematical instruments designed to demonstrate the movement of the sphere around the Earth, whereby Earth sits within the centre, it showcased how Ancient Greeks believed the universe worked and how the stars moved around the Earth. However, over the centuries, the armillary was subsequently adapted to reflect what mankind has since learned about the universe and our new understandings of science.

Despite this, the custom of measuring time by shadows—or by the length of one’s own shadow—persisted from ancient times right through to the invention of the mechanical clock in more industrial times. Today, garden armillary spheres, or “shadow-clocks” as they are sometimes known, are still beautiful instruments that demonstrate man’s great ability to conceive and craft.

Our armillaries do not, of course, show the ancient view of the world with the stars moving around the Earth, rather they are crafted of interlocking spheres with a gnomon which is usually in the shape of an arrow. As the sun travels across the sky, the gnomon of our armillary sundial casts a shadow onto a surface that indicates the hour. Black Country Metalwork’s armillary sundials are crafted to a very high standard and conceived to lend appeal to the garden of today, however individual it may be.

Our garden armillaries are produced with a number of finishes. From the brass verdigris or antique silver finish of our antique styled armillaries to the warm mellow polished and lacquered brass or shining bright chrome kiss of our contemporary garden armillary designs, we will have an armillary to enhance the beauty of any garden. While the design and sizes of our garden armillaries may vary, the setting-up instructions are the same for all- for more information, please click here. A great attraction to your garden, setting up your armillary is relatively easy.