Chapter XI

50Blundeville. Exercises. pp. 245-278. In this volume pages are numbered on recto only.

51Linschoten, J. H. v. Itinerarium ofte schipvaert naer dost ofte Portugaels Indien. Groningen, 1614.

52Fiorini, op. cit., p. 278.

53Doppelmayr, op. cit., pp. 101, 115, 116.

54See Doppelmayr.71

55See reference to Christian Heyden, I,156.

56Garcia de Céspedes. Regimiento de Navigacion. Madrid, 1606. p. 148.

57Royal Geographical Journal, London. London, 1893. p. 384.

58Baglione, G. Le vite de’ pittori, scultori, architetti ed intagliatori dal pontificato di Gregorio XIII del 1572 fino ai tempi di Urbano VIII nel 1642. Napoli, 1743. p. 282; Vaugondy, R. d. Essai sur l’histoire de la Géographie. Paris, 1775. p. 189; Magini, A. Italia di Gio: Al Serenissimo Ferdinando Gonzaga duca di Mantova e di Monferrato, cum privilegio. Bononiae, MDCXX.

59Litta, P. Le famiglie celebri d’Italia. Milano, 1819.

60Fiorini, op. cit., pp. 299-301.

Armillary Sphere. From Blagrave, Mathematical Jewel, 1585.

Certain striking tendencies exhibited in the matter of globe making in this period.—The Gottorp globes.—Weigel’s globes.—Carlo Benci.—Amantius Moroncelli.—Castlemaine’s immovable globe.—The armillary of Treffler.—Armillary sphere of Gian Battista Alberti.—The numerous globes of P. Vincenzo Coronelli.—Certain anonymous globes of the period.—Joannes Maccarius.—Jos. Antonius Volpes.—Vitale Giordani.—George Christopher Eimmart.—Giuseppe Scarabelli.—Giovanni Battista.—Joseph Moxon.—The Chinese globes of Peking.

AMONGthe globes constructed in the second half of the seventeenth century there were none which surpassed in scientific value, if indeed any equaled, those sent out from the workshops of the Netherland masters in the first half. The work of P. Vincenzo Coronelli, the Venetian monk, crowns the period. His abilities were of a high order, and entitle him to a place among the world’s great map and globe makers, but the traces of his influence seem not to be so pronounced as were those of his immediate northern predecessors.

The period was one which lent encouragement to some extravagance in globe making. The earliest of those constructed in the post-Columbian years, as has been noted, were of small size, but before the close of the sixteenth century we occasionally find one of large dimensions, as, for example, that of the great Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe.Blaeu’s globes of the year 1622 were thought to be of extraordinary size, but the half century here under consideration furnishes us with examples of globes having gigantic proportions, globes such, for example, as would have pleased the Greek geographer, Strabo,61who thought that one to be of value should have a diameter of at least ten feet. The Gottorp globe, the globes of Weigel, the Coronelli globes constructed for Louis XIV, were not such as would lend themselves to easy duplication, certainly not as to size, ranging as they did from about nine to fifteen feet. Of real value they possessed but little. They were interesting mechanical curiosities, representing a tendency in globe construction which might be referred to as the ultrapractical. In the following century we find the opposite extreme exemplified in what were known as pocket globes.

The so-called Gottorp globe, constructed in the years 1654-1664, at the instance of Duke Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp, we may refer to as the first one of importance of the period, as it was one of the largest, being, however, rather an object62of interest by reason of its peculiar construction, than one of great scientific importance for the study of astronomy and geography. This globe, about eleven feet in diameter, was prepared by Andreas Busch of Limberg under the direction of Adam Oelschläger (Olearius)63(1599-1671), Duke Frederick’s librarian and court mathematician. The world map on the outer surface of the sphere included a record of the recent discoveries according to the most reliable sources of information. It was furnished with a brass meridian circle, and within this it was so adjusted as to make one revolution every twenty-four hours. The pole elevation could not be altered, it being permanently set for the latitude of Gottorp, that is, for latitude 54° 30′. Its horizon circle was broad, and served as a platform upon which an observer might walk, he being thus enabled to examine the terrestrial map to the best advantage. A door was provided which could be opened and closed, permittingnot less than twelve persons to enter the sphere at one time. On its inner surface was represented the entire expanse of the sky with the several constellations properly located, having their figures carefully outlined; the several stars being placed according to calculation for the year 1700, and each star was gilded that it might the more easily be seen. From the inner axis was suspended a circular gallery or platform from which the machine could be set in motion, and from which, as representing the horizon, one might observe the rising and the setting of the stars. The whole interior was lighted by two small lamps. At the center of the sphere, the inner surface of which, as stated above, represented the starry heavens, was placed a small ball, about 15 cm. in diameter, representing the earth. The great globe, driven by water power, was therefore made to appear to revolve around this central terrestrial globe. A representation of the sun, made of glass, had its own proper motion along the circle of the ecliptic, and a representation of the moon likewise was made to move in its own proper course. This globe, in the year 1713, was presented by the grandson of Duke Frederick to Czar Peter the Great of Russia.

A note in the Royal Geographical Journal refers to this as a seventeenth-century globe, adding in substance that the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences has lately installed at Tsarskoe Selo this large globe, weighing some three and one half tons, constructed in the seventeenth century for Duke Frederick of Holstein, under the superintendence of Olearius, the astronomer and traveler. On its completion it was placed in the castle of Gottorp, from which fact it became known as the Gottorp globe. It was presented to the Academy in the year 1725 and up to the present has remained in the Zoölogical Museum.64

The Gottorp Armillary Sphere, 1657.

Fig. 104. The Gottorp Armillary Sphere, 1657.

Information has been kindly given by the director of the National Museum of Copenhagen that an exceedingly fine armillary sphere (Fig.104) may be found in the Museum of National History in the Friedricksborg Castle. From thecatalogue of this institution we learn that it was constructed in the year 1657 by Andreas Busch, under the guidance of Adam Olearius, for Frederick III of Holstein-Gottorp. As will be noted from the illustration it is an elaborately constructed piece of mechanism. What we may term the globe proper is composed of six great circles on which are the fixed constellations, having the several stars represented in silver. Through the mechanism passes a steel bar which carries a ball of brass representing the sun, which is at the center of the complicated system of circles. Around the sun are six circles of brass representing the orbits of the planets each carrying a small silver angel. That part of the mechanism which represents the equator and the zodiac is calculated to make one revolution in 25,000 years. In the base of the globe has been placed the clockwork by which the several movements of circles and planets are effected, and time is told by the striking of hours and quarters. Topping the piece is a small armillary sphere representing the Ptolemaic system.

We are likewise informed that in the National Museum’s collections may be found a celestial globe which is attributed to Petrus Theodorus. It is of gilded brass, having a diameter of 24 cm., and while undated presumably is of the last quarter of the seventeenth century. The globe ball is supported by a bronze figure of Atlas, the whole standing 86 cm. in height. Tycho Brahe is the accredited authority for the representation of the several fixed stars.

Erhard Weigel (1625-1699)65has place among the globe makers of the period as one who sought to reform, and, in some measure, to popularize both astronomical and geographical science, particularly the former, applying his own inventive ability to that end in the matter of globe construction. In this he appears to have been rather more ingenious than practical. He seems to have achieved special distinction in his day as theologian, philosopher, astrologer, and mathematician.

Weigel was a native of the Rhenish Palatinate. Under many difficulties, on account of the poverty of the family, he acquired the necessary educational training for admission into the University of Halle. Here he soon found himself in favor with Professor Bartholemeus Schimpfer,66who was counted one of the leading astrologers of the time. In addition to the youthful student’s general duties as secretary to the professor, there was assigned to him the task of calendar making. This was a task which especially appealed to him, and he soon had a following, as a tutor, among those students who like himself found the astrological science one of absorbing interest. Led by the fact that students from the University of Leipzig came to him for instruction, he transferred his residence from Halle to this University, thinking thereby to improve his opportunities for mathematical studies. Here he continued his astrological work, not so much, it appears, because of a genuine belief in the practical value of the science, as such; the rather because he found in its pursuit a good source of income.67His theological bent soon led him to a conclusion that the science of astrology rested upon a very unsubstantial foundation. “If God be the creator and supporter of the universe, what an insignificant part,” thought he, “can the stars play in determining the destiny of the individual.”

In the year 1654 he became a professor of mathematics in the University of Jena and sprang immediately into favor as a lecturer.68Naturalism, as heralded in his day, appealed to him and he became an outspoken opponent of the Latinists and of the Scholastics. When his knowledge of mathematics failed him he was inclined to resort to theology as a subject furnishing endless themes and illustrative material. From his early belief in astrology he turned to astronomy, but he remained a visionary, making some contribution to the science but none of lasting value. He appears to have been particularly distressed over the heathen names of the several constellations and the figures which so long had been employedto represent them, regarding such representations as sacrilegious and wholly unworthy the great inventive genius of man. All this he wished to have swept from the heavens, proposing to substitute for the same the coats of arms of the ruling houses of Europe.69For Ursa Major he proposed the name Elephas with the figure of the Danish elephant, for Orion the name Aquila biceps and the Austrian double eagle, for Hercules the name Eques cum districto gladio and the insignia of Poland, for Leo the name tria Castella cum Aureo Vellere and the insignia of Spain, for Erichthonius the name Lilia tria and the insignia of France, for Lyra the name Citharae and the insignia of Britain, running thus through the entire list. In assigning his new names to the constellations he endeavored, in so far as possible, to assign them to such relative position in the heavens as the respective countries or houses occupied on earth.

In one of his publications70Weigel describes his several mechanical devices, including his globes, to which he refers as “Globus Mundanus,” “Viceglobus,” “Globus coelestis perpetuus,” and “Geocosmus,” the latter being referred to by the author as a useful terrestrial globe, which exhibits not only all countries, but the time of the day and of the year in all localities; also the wind and the rain and volcanic eruptions. Coronelli gives a brief description of the same, which he calls a “Pancosmo, o Mondo Universale,” from which, in the main, the following is taken.71

This machine, he says, has a circumference of thirty-two feet, being constructed in the form of an armillary sphere. On its surface the stars are represented, each in its proper size and place, and Coronelli, perhaps indirectly quoting Weigel’s own opinion of his production, notes its real superiority to nature, for he states that the stars, as represented, can be seen at all hours of the day and night and as well in sunshine or rain. This “Pancosmo” was made to appear, in its mounting, as if standing or resting on the clouds, the whole being supported by two statues each eight feet inheight, the one representing Hercules and the other Athene. Through a door, which was practically invisible, the great sphere could be entered by a considerable number of persons at one time, and be enjoyed by them, implies Coronelli, some standing and some sitting. It was so arranged within that when one half of the celestial sphere was lighted the other half remained in darkness, the revolution of the sphere giving a representation of the rising and the setting of the stars. At the center was placed a small terrestrial globe within which was a reservoir; this could be made to serve in a representation of the subterranean fires which issued, at times most opportune, from the craters of volcanoes represented, such as Vesuvius and Aetna in the south of Italy, others in the East Indian Islands and still others in America. “They give out steam, flames, and pleasant odors,” says Coronelli, “which please the spectators.” By means of a screen and lantern it was made possible to represent the inhabitants of any country desired, moving about as in actual life, even “the antipodes,” says the author, “with heads downward and feet upward.” At pleasure a breeze could be made to blow from any desired quarter, meteors could be made to flit across the sky; rain- and hailstorms, lightning and thunder, could be imitated. On the surface of the terrestrial globe were represented the several countries of the earth, likewise the several seas. Coronelli notes that which Weigel seems to have regarded an especially commendable feature, the grouping of the stars into new constellations, which grouping was particularly designed to aid the memory. This of all the large globes constructed in the period seems especially to have represented the ultrapractical, and we have no knowledge that it was ever regarded in any other light than as a great mechanical wonder. The final disposition of this “Pancosmo” is unknown. Günther doubts that globes such as Weigel proposed to construct are still in existence. He, however, refers to a globe in the collectionof the Germanisches Museum which exhibits the constellations somewhat after Weigel’s plan.

That a certain preference manifested itself in Italy, during the greater part of the sixteenth century, and among certain individuals interested in geographical and astronomical matters, in engraved metal globes or in globes with manuscript maps, has been previously noted. An argument frequently advanced in opposition to that favoring the use of printed maps was that the manuscript globe could the more easily be made of large size, indeed could easily be made of any desirable size. The later years of the seventeenth century furnish us with excellent examples in proof that a preference for such globes lingered in certain circles in the peninsula.

Carlo Benci (1616-1676), a Silvestrian monk, born in the Tuscan town of Montepulciano, may be named as one of the foremost among the manuscript globe makers of the period.72At the age of twenty-one he entered the monastery of S. Benedetto of Fabriano, receiving in the ceremony attending his admission the name D. Doroteo. One year later we find him in the monastery of S. Giovanni in Montepulciano, and in the year 1652 in the convent of S. Stefano del Cacco of Rome, on entering which he changed his name to D. Carlo Benci, we are told, attained to a place of eminence among men of learning in Italy on account of his philosophical and theological studies. In the year 1645 he was chosen for an administrative office in his order, and later he successively became sacristan, curate prior, and titular abbé of S. Bonifazio near Cingoli in the Marche, retaining to the end of his life the headship of the parish of S. Stefano.

To his fame as philosopher and theologian he seems to have added that of expert cosmographer, winning through the wide extent of his interests the special favor of Pope Clement X, who selected him as his spiritual adviser. It must be noted, however, that his name nowhere appears especially conspicuous among contemporary writers on philosophical,theological or scientific subjects, and we have only the tangible evidence of his cosmographical interests in a fine pair of globes constructed in the year 1671, now belonging to Prince D. Camillo Massimo of Rome.

These globes have a diameter of about 1 m. and still retain the greater part of their original mounting, which, in each, consists of a meridian circle (this in the terrestrial globe is modern) not graduated, within which they are adjusted to revolve on their equatorial polar axes, of a horizon band, likewise not graduated, being circular on the inner edge, but octagonal on the outer, the whole being supported by four turned legs joined by crossbars at their lower extremities. Both spheres are of papier-mâché and are well preserved, the terrestrial having suffered slightly more injury than the celestial. The spheres are covered with somewhat irregular pieces of paper, though carefully matched, which are yellow with age. On this paper surface the maps terrestrial and celestial were drawn with a stylus.

On a plate attached to the terrestrial globe we find a dedication to Pope Clement X, this being surmounted with a coat of arms of the Altieri family, of which family Pope Clement was a member. This dedication reads:

“Beatissimo Padre. Non si debbono questi due globi rappresentanti il Cielo e la Terra da me con diligente studio composti consecrare ad altri che alla StaVra, come quella, che dell’ uno maneggia le Chiavi e dell’ altra regge lo Scettro. Considerava io, che l’ Imperio di VraBeatitneper non avere confini, che lo restringano, è contanto vasto, che non può quasi essere da humano intendimocompreso, poichè non ha la Terra, nè monte, nè fiume, nè l’Oceano istesso, che i termini gli prescriva, nè ha il Cielo, nè Asterismo, nè gruppo di stelle sì folto che faccia sbarra et impedisca che l’ autorità della St̄a V.r̄a non giunga alle porte dell’ Empireo, che chiude e disserra a suo talento. Quindi riflettendo io sopra l’ampiezza o per così dire incomprensibilità del suo sacro Regno, per agevolare il suo conoscimomi disposi di portarequasi in compendio de l’ uno e l’altro orbe, cioè Celeste e Terreno, in queste due moli di giro non ordinario la descritione dove possa l’occhio con un semplice sguardo ravvisare ciò che non può la nostra mente con la sua acutezza comprendere, e dove la S.t̄a V.r̄a, sollevata tal’ hora dal peso delle cure gravissime, possa rivolgere le luci per contemplare la D. grandezza del suo Sacro dominio. Di qui spero che V.r̄a Beatitudine sia per gradire queste mie deboli fatiche, come di un suddito che porta il carattere di suo servitore attuale, e che sia per misurare dalla grandezza di queste Sfere l’eccesso delle obbligazioni che le professo. E. qui augurandole l’età e gl’ anni di Nestore, le bacio humilmente prostrato a terra i Santissimi piedi.

“Di S. Stefano del Cacco di Roma li 28 di Dicembre 1671 “Di V.r̄a Beatitudine.“HummoDevotmoObligmoservree Suddito“D. Carlo Benci MoncoSilvestrino.”73

“Most blessed Father. These two globes, which represent the heavens and the earth, constructed by myself with painstaking industry, ought not to be dedicated to any one but to Your Holiness, who with one hand controls the keys and with the other wields the scepter. I reflect that the empire of Your Holiness, having no boundaries to restrict it, is so vast that it scarcely can be grasped by the human imagination, since earth has not mountain, river, or even ocean that can set limits thereto; nor is there sky, or planet, or star, or constellation so dense as to check or hinder Your Holiness from reaching the gate of empyrean which You open and shut at will. Reflecting therefore upon the expanse, and so to speak, upon incomprehensibleness of Your Holiness’ Empire, I determined, with a view to furthering the knowledge of it to give a representation of both worlds (that is of the celestial and of the terrestrial), much reduced, as it were, upon these two spheres of no mean size, on which the eyewill be able at one glance to recognize what the human intellect with all its powers is impotent to grasp; and over which Your Holiness, when at times relieved from the pressure of overwhelming responsibilities, will be able to cast your glance in order to view the aforesaid vastness of Your Dominion.

“Wherefore I trust that Your Holiness will be inclined to accept these my feeble labors, as those of a subject whose real capacity is that of Your Holiness’ servant, and that You may be willing to take the great size of these globes as the measure of the vastness of the obligation which I avow myself under to Your Holiness. And now wishing Your Holiness the age and the years of Nestor, I humbly prostrate myself upon the ground, and kiss Your Most Holy Feet.

“San Stefano del Cacco, Rome, 28, December 1671.

“Your Holiness’ most humble, most devoted, and most obliged servant and subject,

“Dom Carlo Benci

“Silvestrin monk.”

Near this dedication is a portrait of the Pope, the subscription reading “Clemens Decimus Pont. Max.”

The terrestrial globe shows the parallels at intervals of ten degrees, and the meridians at like intervals counting from that passing through the Island of Ferro which has been taken as the prime meridian. The polar circles, the tropics, and the ecliptic are made especially prominent. Place names and legends are given either in Latin or in Italian, some of the briefer legends taking note of geographical discoveries of special importance, and clearly indicating that the author was well informed on the progress of discovery.

The celestial globe has represented on its surface both the equator and the ecliptic with their respective poles indicated; circles of latitude and of longitude are omitted. The year 1600 was selected as the normal year for recordingthe position of the stars, and a statement is made noting the corrections becoming necessary by reason of the precession of the equinoxes. Only the Ptolemaic constellations are given, and the figures representing the same are very artistically drawn. The famous star which appeared in the year 1572 and the position of numerous comets are indicated, with the date of the appearance of each.

Until the year 1862 these globes were preserved in the Altieri Library, when they were offered for sale and were purchased by Prince D. Camillo Massimo, finding a place in his palace at the Villa Peretti.

If Benci, through his cosmographical studies, as well as through his other studies, brought fame to himself and to his order of Silvestrin monks, to Amantius Moroncelli, likewise a member of this order and a contemporary, no less credit should be given for his achievements as a maker of manuscript globes.74It has been noted that but one pair of Benci’s globes can now be located, but no less than ten constructed by Moroncelli may today be found in Italian libraries and museums, most of which possess both scientific and artistic value of a high order.

A pair of his earliest globes is in the possession of the Biblioteca di S. Marco of Venice (Fig.105). These were probably constructed as early as the year 1672 for the monastery of Cassenesi, located on the Island of S. Georgio Maggiore. The director of the S. Marco Library informs the author75that they have a diameter of more than 2 m., and that through want of proper care they are in a very bad state of preservation, being so darkened with age as to render their maps quite illegible. On the terrestrial globe there is a portrait, opposite which is a representation of the coat of arms of a bishop. The celestial globe is somewhat better preserved, having a title, only a part of which can be deciphered, reading “In hoc coelesti globo adnotantur omnes stellae fixae ad annum ... ac cometae,” and concluding “Extruxit D. Silvester Amantius Moroncellus Fabrianensisbenedictinus sub congregationem Silvestri Abbatis. Venetiis in Augustissima bibliotheca S. Georgii Majoris....” The director of the library reads the date as 1683, others have thought it to be 1672.

Terrestrial Globe of Silvester Amantius Moroncelli, 1672.

Fig. 105. Terrestrial Globe of Silvester Amantius Moroncelli, 1672.

In the Biblioteca Alessandrini of Rome may be found two manuscript globes of Moroncelli, a terrestrial and a celestial, each having a diameter of about 88 cm. These spheres are covered with paper gores fashioned as are printed gore maps, eighteen in number, the polar space being covered with semicircular sections, two in number for each pole. On this paper covering the maps were drawn by hand. Each of the globes is furnished with a brass meridian circle and a horizon circle of wood, the whole being supported by a plane base. Under the portrait of Pope Innocent XI is the following inscription: “Regnante Innocentio XI. Hos cosmographicos globos toto studio construxit, calamoque conscripsit, D. Silvester Amantius Mon. Benedictinus Cong. Silvestrin. Ann. D. MDCLXXVII.” “In the Pontificate of Innocent XI these cosmographic spheres were constructed with all zeal, and completed with the pen, by D. Silvester Amantius a monk of the Benedictine order and of the Silvestrin Congregation. In the year 1677.” The legend containing the usual address to the reader is taken from Greuter’s globe of 1632 or from Blaeu’s globe of 1622,76concluding, however, with the following, “D. Silvester Amantius Moroncellus Fabrianensis Monachus Silvestrinus auctor, construxit et notavit. Aetatis suae an. 27. 1679.” “D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, a monk of the Silvestrin order; constructed and lettered (this globe) in the 27th year of his age. 1679.” On the terrestrial globe meridians and parallels are indicated at intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian passing through the Canary Islands.

On the celestial globe is the following legend or inscription: “Laudatissimum Astronomiae studium atquum sit difficilimum, jucunditas tamen cum difficultate conjungitur, prospere ut homines et coelum potius quam calcata intueri.Creator noster omnipotens cetera animantia per terram sternere jussit, at homines non sic, sed totum ad sidera extolli. Pronaque cum spectent animalia cetera terrae Os homini sublime dedit coelumque videre Jussit, et erectos ad sidera tollere vultus. Et ideo optimum erat ut aliquod exemplum sub oculis hic opponeretur quod non immerito in medio sapientiae sistit, ut sciant non aliter quam et per sapientiam ipsum posse cognosci.

“In isto igitur per ipsum coelestium siderum ordinem cognoscent et nomina astrorum juxta exactum observationem Hipparchi, Ptolomei, Alphonsi, et Copernici per Ticonem Brahe ad trutinam examinatiae, et ne octium me opprimeret, in istud quod cernunt per me accurate delineata. Ita ut omnes cognoscant in vita quod post mortem omnibus opto valeant. Romae apud S. Stephanum supra Caccum die VI men. Jan. MDCLXXX. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncellus Fabrianensis Mon. CongisSilvestrinorum.” “The much lauded study of astronomy, although it is very difficult, yet pleasure is joined with the difficulty, for it is a happier lot for men to look at the sky, than to look at the road trodden by their feet; our Omnipotent Creator ordained that other living beings should be prone on the earth, that man should not be so, but should be wholly lifted up to the stars. For while other living beings look earthward, He has given man an uplifted countenance and bidden him look heavenward, and raise his uplifted face toward the stars. And therefore it was good that some example should be placed here under his eyes, which might assist him to stand in the midst of wisdom, so that men might understand that God could be known in no otherwise than by wisdom. On this globe therefore, and by its aid will be known the order and the names of the celestial stars according to the exact observations of Hipparchus, Ptolemy, Alfonso, and Copernicus, and arranged for general use by Tycho Brahe; and that idleness might not oppress me, accurately depicted by me, according to their discoveries. This I have done in orderthat all men may know in their lifetime what I hope they may all attain to know after their death. At Rome, from S. Stevens on the hill, January 6th, 1680. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, a monk of the Silvestrin Congregation.”

The tropics, the polar circles, and the ecliptic are represented, and the figures of the several constellations are artistically drawn, the effect being heightened by skilful shading.

The Biblioteca Municipale of Fermo possesses a fine manuscript terrestrial globe made by Moroncelli and dated 1713. This globe is not a perfect sphere, having a polar diameter of 180 cm. and an equatorial diameter of 194 cm. The ball is composed of thin strips of wood extending from pole to pole, having first, over the same, a covering of heavy parchment paper, and over this somewhat irregular but well-joined pieces of fine draughting paper. It is furnished with a meridian circle of iron, a horizon circle of wood, the whole resting on a wooden base. The author and date legend, placed in a shield-shaped cartouch, reads, “Opus meccanicum hoc mirifice compositum ab Ill. m̄o Domino Philippo Antonio Morrono Archipresbitero FirmnoMirificentius vere geographice distinctum a RevmoP. Abb. D. Silvestro Amantio Moroncello Fabrianensi. Anno a Redemptore nato MDCCXIII.” “This mechanical work was marvelously constructed by the Illustrious D. Philip Antony Morono, Archdeacon of Fermo. Its geographical details were wonderfully inserted by the Rev. Father Abbot D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, in the year of Redemption, 1713.”

In a cartouch similar to that containing the legend just quoted, though much larger and resting on a representation of the imperial eagle of Fermo, having a white cross on its breast and the motto “Firmum firma fides Romanorum colonia,” there is drawn a picture of the city of Fermo with a red background. Near the Tropic of Cancer, on the meridian of 250 degrees, there is a shield with the coat of arms of the Morone family, and below the Tropic of Cancer, on themeridian of 200 degrees, is the coat of arms of the author, likewise within a shield and artistically sketched. The picture of a Moor and of a black eagle, around which is a band of blue with three golden stars, the whole surmounted by a prelate’s black hat with tassels, the Moor indicating the origin of the name Moroncelli, and the prelate’s hat honoring the author’s intimate friend, Gian Francesco Albani, who became Pope Clement XI and who had nominated him a domestic prelate.

In longitude 113 degrees, in a shield, is the coat of arms of this pope, at the right of which is the inscription, “Implebitur vaticinium,” at the left “Replebitur majestate omnis terra,” and below “Irradiatibur evangelio, studio recentis Clementiae et Successorum.” There are two or three additional shields, in one of which is an illegible inscription, and one has been left blank. Although meridians and parallels are indicated, loxodromic lines are wanting, which so generally appear on those globes constructed in the Netherlands. The nomenclature is either Latin, Italian or local. Mythological and allegorical figures are numerous, as are also representations of sea monsters and sailing ships.

A pair of Moroncelli’s globes, in excellent condition, may be found in the Accademia Etrusca of Cortona. These are reported to have come to the Academy in the year 1727 as a gift from the Abbé Onofrio Baldelli. They have each a diameter of about 80 cm., are mounted on plain bases, and are furnished with the usual meridian circles within which they may be revolved. On the terrestrial globe a legend is placed within a shieldlike cartouch surmounted with a coat of arms of the patrician family Baldelli of Cortona, and reads, “Virorum probitas, eruditio et virtus existimationem exigunt. Haec in IllmoD. Abb. Onofrio Baldelli Patritio Cortonensi mirifice effulgent. Ne dum in Humanis Artibus summopere praedito. Verum etiam in Magnanimitatem laudabili: Dum ad complementum Bibliotechae, pro Studiorum Concivium utilitate et eruditione, ab ipso erectae, globosetiam cosmographicos, licet etiam dispendio trescentorum scutorum libenter auxit. Quamobrem tantis meritis coactus D. SilrAmantius Moroncelli Fabrianens: Abb: Bened. Congr. Silvestrinorum Auctor ad perpetuam rei memoriam Monumentum hoc posuit Ann. Sal. MDCCXIV.” “The uprightness of men, their learning and virtue call for respect; these qualities marvelously shine forth in the illustrious lord Abbot Onofri Baldelli of patrician rank of Cortona; not only was he endowed beyond others in the humanities, but also he was praiseworthy for his magnanimity. To furnish the library erected by him, for the use and the instruction of his student fellow citizens, he generously contributed these cosmographic globes, although they cost 300 scudi. Wherefore, being executed by his great abilities, D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, Benedictine Abbot of the Silvestrin Congregation, has erected this monument for their perpetual remembrance of his generosity. In the year of our Salvation 1714.”

A second legend in a less decorative cartouch reads, “Orbis Terraquei, juxta presentem notitiam, cum multa adhuc invenienda remaneant, non solum in Terra Australi incognita, verum etiam in Septentrionalibus Americae Superioris ubi molta Jam occulta manent a D. Silvestro Amantio Moroncelli Fabrianensi Abb: Bened: Congr. Silvest. Cosmographo Reginae Svecorum, nec non Sapientiae Rom. Anno etatis sue, 64, Red. v͞o MDCCXV.” “In our present knowledge of the terraqueous world much yet remains to be discovered, not only in the unknown lands of the south, but also in the northern regions of North America where many things are still undiscovered. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, Benedictine Abbot of the Silvestrin Congregation, Cosmographer of the Queen of Sweden and also of the Roman Academy (made this globe) in the 64th year of his age, and in the year of Redemption, 1715.”

The parallels and meridians are drawn at intervals of five degrees, and one compass is placed in the southern hemisphere.Both Latin and Italian have been employed for the geographical names.

The celestial globe contains the figures of the several constellations exquisitely drawn, the name of each being given in Latin, in Arabic, and in Greek. One finds on this globe but the one short legend reading “Stella praeclara et peregrina Anno D. 1572 et per annum et quatuor menses, scilicet a principio Novvemb. usque ad ultimum Martii 1573.” “A very bright and wandering star (appearing) in the year 1572 and for one year and four months, visible from the first of November to the last of March 1573.”

Another fine pair of Moroncelli’s manuscript globes, constructed in the year 1716, is to be found in the Biblioteca Casanatense of Rome. They have each a diameter of about 160 cm. and are mounted on plain octagonal bases. The terrestrial has a graduated meridian of brass, a horizon circle of wood, likewise graduated and having indicated on its surface the several signs of the zodiac, the names of the months, and of the principal winds. On the surface of the globe, the parallels and the meridians are drawn at intervals of five degrees, the prime meridian passing through the most western island of the Canaries. The address to the reader, like that on the globe in the Alessandrian Library, is practically a copy of the one to be found on the Greuter globe of the year 1632. A lengthy legend relating to the prime meridian reads: “Ut recta methodo ad cognitionem Geographie deveniamus, Principium desumere a poMeridiano, a quo longitudo habetur, debemus. Unde sic. Quamvis igitur Longitudinis initium arbitrarium sit, ab occasu tamen ejus auspicium facere ideo Veteribus placuit quod illic aliquis Terre limes esset inventus qui Ortum versus nullus expeditionibus deprehendi potuisset atque eam ob causam Ptolemeus cujus sedulitati ac industriae Geographie incolumitatem omnes vel inviti debent ab ultimo termino Occidentis cognito que Insule in Atlantico mari Fortunate olim dicte nunc Canariae vocantur auspicium fecit. In iisque Primummeridianum defixit quod theticum principium deinceps fere omnes ejus auctoritate moti retinuerunt. Nunnulli quidem Seculo transacto principium tenendum censuere ubi Acus Magneti junctae recta in boream spectat: Sed multum inter se dissentientes allucinantur. Nos autem Ptolomei vestigiis insistentes easdem Insulas delegimus et Lineam meridionalem in Insula De Ferro dicta que de Fortunatis ut olim et de Canariis nunc, una de Principalibus est fiximus.” “That we may come to the right method for acquiring a knowledge of geography we must make a beginning from the first meridian from which longitude is reckoned. Although the beginning of longitude is arbitrary it pleased the ancients to make this beginning from the west because there was found a limit of the earth which could not be found by voyages toward the east. For this reason Ptolemy, to whose application and industry all men owe the preservation of geography though grudgingly, made the beginning from the farthest known bounds of the west, which are the Fortunate Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, but now called the Canary Islands. In these he fixed the first meridian, and this hypothetical beginning almost all who have followed him have been led by his authority to retain. Not a few in the century just passed have thought that the beginning should be made where the magnetic needle points directly to the north. But these, as they disagree among themselves are mistaken. We follow in the footsteps of Ptolemy and have chosen the same island, and placed the meridian line in the Island of Ferro, one of the principal islands of the Fortunate group now called the Canaries.”

In addition to the one just quoted there are a few other legends relating to geographical discoveries which contain allusions, very similar to the many which may be found on certain other globes of the period, adding little or nothing that is new.

The celestial globe, mounted practically the same as the terrestrial, contains the following legend: “Ecce damusmethodo Ptolemaica seu Orteliana coelestium siderum quotquot hodie extare comperimus schemata, situs et ut decet reperiuntur perfecta. Sunt enim ex descriptionibus Hipparchi, Ptolomei, Alphonsi, Copernici, per Tyconem Brahe ad trutinam examinata, nec non Joannis Bayeri, qui Uranometriam per imagines in tabulis aeneis expressit. Et nunc per me D. Silvestrum Amantium Moroncelli Fabrianen̄ Abbatem Bened. Congreg. Silv. calamo descripta coloribusque effigiata adattataque ad Ann. 1716.” “Observe that we give after the method of Ptolemy or Ortelius the settings of the stars of heaven, as far as they have, to the present, been discovered, and as far as their positions have been made known. We have employed the descriptions of Hipparchus, Ptolemy, Alfonso, and Copernicus, as tested and confirmed by Tycho Brahe, and also by the observations of Johannes Bayer, who expressed the star system (of Tycho Brahe) objectively in brass tables, now by myself D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, Benedictine Abbot of the Silvestrin Congregation. All these have been expressed in letters and represented in colors, and accommodated to the year 1716.”

There is given a second legend of some importance reading, “Tabula continens quantum quovis proposito anno vel addendum vel demendum sit longitudini affixarum. Stellae enim spatio septuaginta Annorum et quinque mensium unicum gradum secondum Asterismorum ordinem super Polum Zodiaci progrediuntur ab Occasu ad Orientem. Ex hujusmodi Regula invenitur Sidera migrasse a Mundi creatione usque ad hunc annum 6915, Gr. 98, M. 47, S. 20. Et ab adventu D. N. J. C. usque ad hunc annum 1716, Gr. 24, M. 30, S. 25.” “Table noting how much must be added to or subtracted from the longitude of the fixed stars in any given year. The stars move from west to east one degree in the space of seventy years and five months according to the order of the constellations of the zodiac. From this rule it is found that the stars have moved from the creation of the world a period of 6915 years to the present 98 degrees, 47minutes and 20 seconds, and from the advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ to this year 1716, 24 degrees, 30 minutes, and 25 seconds.”

In addition to the above-mentioned examples of Moroncelli’s work, there may be cited a number of allusions to others which cannot now be located. Fiorini notes first a fine cosmographic sphere designed to represent both the terrestrial and the celestial, having a circumference of 2.62 palms, and probably constructed for the patrician family Trevisiani.77It appears that it later passed into the hands of Prince Lucio Odescalchi of Milan, and in the year 1849 was taken to Rome, after which it appears that all trace of it was lost. It is said to have been a very artistic piece, brilliantly colored with numerous pictures executed in miniature, and to have been dated 1690. The anonymous biographer of Moroncelli, whose account exists only in manuscript and is frequently cited by Fiorini, notes that Moroncelli constructed a manuscript globe for Queen Christina of Sweden.78This has been thought by Porti to be the globe just referred to, but the identity is doubtful. Again Fiorini makes allusion to the probable existence at one time of a pair of Moroncelli’s globes in the Monasterio Biblioteca of S. Benedetto of Fabriano, and of still another pair in the Collegio De Vecchi of the same city, but of these nothing at present is known.79The anonymous biography likewise alludes to one of his celestial globes which he constructed and dedicated to Cardinal Alessandro Albani of Urbino. In this the author undertook, like certain others of his day, to substitute for the Greek mythological characters or figures representing the several constellations, pictures of biblical objects and characters, or of individuals selected from Christian martyrology.80While this particular globe cannot now be located, there is a small one of similar character which belongs to the Accademia Etrusca of Cortona, having a diameter of about 27 cm., its map being partly in manuscript and partly printed. There is the following author and datelegend: “Sacrometria omnium asterismorum coelestium figuris Aecclesiasticis reformatorum a Rev. Abb. D. Sil. Amantio Moroncelli Fabrianen. Silvestrino Ann. 1710.” “Sacred measurements of all the heavenly stars expressed in ecclesiastical notation by the Rev. D. Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano, a Silvestrian, in the year 1710.” A brief descriptive legend reads, “In hac coelesti sphaera Stellae affixae majori quam hactenus numero et accuratiori industria delineantur novis asterismis in Philomateorū gratiam de integro additis: quae omnia secondum Astronomorum Principis Thyconis Brahe et aliorum observationem verae suae Longitudini ac Latitudini ad annum Christi 1636 restituta sunt.” “In this celestial sphere the fixed stars are depicted in greater number than previously and with more accurate care, the new stars being added for the use of the student; all of which, according to the observations of that Prince of astronomers Tycho Brahe, and of others, are given with their true latitude and longitude, and accommodated to the year of Christ 1636.” This library of Cortona possesses a manuscript of Moroncelli titled “Sacrometria omnium asterismorum continens schemata figuris ecclesiasticis expressa Silvestri Amantii Moroncelli Fabrianensis ecc. anno 1707.” “Sacred measurement of all the stars being a scheme expressing in ecclesiastical notation by Silvester Amantius Moroncelli of Fabriano in the year 1707.” The constellations he divides into three groups: the boreal from 1-19, the zodiacal from 20-31, the southern from 32-58, giving to each a new name. Hercules, for example, he changed to Samson; Lyra to David; Cassiopeia to Eve; Virgo to Virgo Maria Assumpta in Coelum. One can scarcely affirm that Moroncelli exerted a wide-reaching influence, nevertheless he has, for his day, a place of considerable prominence among globe makers.

Mr. William R. Hearst of New York possesses an exceedingly fine manuscript celestial globe which circumstances have not left it possible to identify. He has courteously furnishedthe photograph from which it is here shown in illustration (Fig.106). Once belonging to Mr. Stanford White, it probably was purchased in Italy, passing in the year 1907 into the hands of Mr. Hearst. In the sales catalogue of The American Art Society it is referred to as a globe of the sixteenth century. There, however, is reason for assigning it to the latter part of the seventeenth century, as there is reason for attributing it to the Abbot Silvester Amantius Moroncelli. If the authorship is correctly attributed it may be counted one of great value. The figures of the several constellations are well colored. The mounting is of wrought iron, with gilt ornaments. The globe itself has a diameter of about 90 cm., while its entire height, including the tripod base, is about 200 cm.

Back to Index Next