It was once thought that the earth was at the centre of the universe, and armillary spheres were created as a way to map the sun and stars. Now, these beautiful instruments can be adorned on lawns, patios and flowerbeds, to remind us of a world greater than our own.

Enhance your garden space with the timeless elegance of a highly decorative armillary sphere. With a variety of styles and finishes to choose from, you can find your perfect fit.

Turn your garden into the centre of your universe, with our stunning armillary spheres.

See our full collection of armillary spheres here.

Armillary History:

The ancient Greeks are credited with inventing the armillary sphere, sometimes also known as the equatorial sundial. Their armillary globes showcased how they 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. 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.

Materials and Finishes:

Our armillaries are crafted to a high standard and conceived to lend appeal to the garden of today, however individual it may be. Our garden armillaries are produced from a number of materials and finishes. 

Installation:

The key to deriving maximum pleasure from your new armillary sphere sundial is to begin by selecting a suitably flat surface in a location that is totally exposed to the sun, away from any buildings and trees. The longer your armillary is in direct sunlight, the better it will give accurate readings.

1. First, remember to choose a pedestal, plinth or column on which your garden armillary sphere may be horizontally fixed. Choose one designed to support the weight and size of your armillary. Although some of our armillaries are crafted with integral bases, not all are.

     2. Second, calibrate or ‘time set’ your armillary by aligning the gnomon (the arrow) with true north. To find true north we recommend marking a shadow cast by using a vertical object at the precise time of local noon. However, be sure to mark your shadow using a true vertical object. A pole aligned vertically and checked by a spirit level is the surest method of casting a good north indicating shadow.

     3. Third, once the gnomon angle is aligned with your established true north line, be sure that the pedestal is fixed completely vertically, again using a spirit level. In fact, take horizontal and vertical readings and adjust the base as and when required. If the base is moved, the armillary will read inaccurately. Periodically check that the base is level, particularly in freezing weather. Also periodically check the time accuracy of your new armillary. Check that the gnomon casts no shadow at exactly 12 noon, for at the precise time of noon the sun is directly overhead, and true vertical objects will not cast shadows at this time.