Cast iron is made from pig iron, which is the product of smelting iron ore in a blast furnace. Cast iron can be made directly from the molten pig iron or by re-melting pig iron, often along with substantial quantities of iron, steel, limestone, carbon (coke) and taking various steps to remove undesirable contaminants. Phosphorus and sulfur may be burnt out of the molten iron, but this also burns out the carbon, which must be replaced. Depending on the application, carbon and silicon content are adjusted to the desired levels, which may be anywhere from 2–3.5% and 1–3%, respectively. If desired, other elements are then added to the melt before the final form is produced by casting.
The earliest cast-iron artifacts date to the 5th century BC, and were discovered by archaeologists in what is now modern Luhe County, Jiangsu in China. This is based on an analysis of the artifact’s microstructures. Reference: Wikipedia
A FR. J. Berg Tellurium, Swedish, late 19th century, the hand-cranked mechanism with models of the Earth and Moon revolving around central candle representing the sun above circular platform printed with scales of signs of the zodiac, calendar and degrees, on cast-iron stand, 24in (61cm) wide
Sold for £ 1,375 inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
A RARE MAHOGANY, BRASS AND CAST IRON ‘ZODIAC’ CENTRE TABLE LATE 19TH/ EARLY 20TH CENTURY The brass inset top embossed with the signs of the zodiac, with later glass protective cover, on a cast iron base with carved mahogany plinth 30 in. (76 cm.) high; 54 ½ in. (128.5 cm.) diameter
Sold for GBP 8,750 at Christies in 2015
Victorian Celestial Globe on Stand Merriam & Moore & Co., Troy, New York, mid 19th century The celestial globe within a brass meridian, the horizon band with engraved paper calendar and Zodiac, the cartouche inscribed THE FRANKLIN GLOBE/12 Inch Celestial/MERRIAM & MOORE & CO./TROY N.Y., the constellations in various colors depicted by mythical beasts and figures and scientific instruments, the stars to six orders of magnitude, raised on a cast iron foliate decorated tripod stand. Height 41 inches (1.04 m), diameter of globe 12 inches (30 cm), diameter overall 17 inches (43 cm).
Sold for $3,125 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2010
Zodiac Theme Cast Iron Garden Table. Size: 18″ x 32″ round.
Sold for $400 at Ashcroft and Moore in 2018
AN AMERICAN TERRESTRIAL 12-INCH GLOBE ON STAND BY GILMAN JOSLIN, BOSTON DATED 1855 the sphere made up of twelve printed paper gores, the cartouche reading: Lorings’ / TERRESTRIAL GLOBE / containing all / THE LATE DISCOVERIES / AND / GEOGRAPHICAL IMPROVEMENTS / also the Tracks of / the most celebrated Circumnavigators / Compiled from Smiths new English Globe, with / additions and improvements by Annin & Smith / Revised by G.W. Boynton / Manufactured by Gilman Joslin, Boston / 1855, brass meridian ring and paper applied equator reading months and zodiacal calendar, raised on a foliate-cast iron tripod stand on castors
Sold for 9,000 EUR at Sothebys in 2005
Table clock German (Augsburg) about 1625–50 Unidentified artist
Astronomical quarter striking astrolabic and zodiacal table clock. Gilt with astronomical & astrological dials on four sides, of silver with blue, orange & green enamel. Two bells in top. Frame engraved with scrolls & fruit, medallions on two sides of base; vases on two ends under dials, and landscapes on front and back. Musical mechanism added above gallery on top. This elaborate clock in the form of a building is as much a precious work of art as a complicated scientific instrument. Dials on this side record the time of day and night, days of the week, months, seasons, signs of the zodiac, and the date according to an ancient Roman calendar. The other side measures astronomical time and the position of the sun and moon at various times of day. Additional dials allow one to set an alarm and regulate the striking of hours and quarter hours. Such complex mechanisms were awe-inspiring wonders of their day. The ability to measure the known universe with man-made machines was a potent demonstration of its owner’s knowledge, power, and wealth.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
PTOLEMAIC GILT BRONZE ARMILLARY SPHERE WITH EARLY, POSSIBLY 16TH CENTURY, ENGRAVED GLOBE 16 inch tall, 9 1/2 inch diameter gilt bronze armillary sphere on turned wood stand, ca 1780. Horizon ring engraved with the names and signs of the zodiac in Latin, ecliptic ring divided into 12 equal parts with the signs of the Zodiac named in Latin alongside the figurative representation of each constellation and divided every 1 degree. Inside the primary sphere are two movable systems of rings fixed perpendicular to each other, representing the orbits of the Sun and the Moon. At center of sphere is a finely engraved 1 1/2 inch early bronze globe, depicting Antarctica as “NOVA GUINEA” and with a very elongated and narrow North American continent.
Sold for 11,875 USD at Sothebys in 2018
Bronze struck medal: The Cattle Market and Slaughter Houses of Paris, signed and dated 1872. This medal celebrates the buildings of the cattle market and abbattoirs of Paris. The signs of the zodiac representing the months of the year border the figure of plenty.
This is a bronze struck medal made in France, 1872. The medal was designed by Louis Merley (1815-1883) and made to celebrate the buildings of the cattle market and slaughter houses of Paris. The signs of the zodiac representing the months of the year border the figure of Plenty.
Reference: © Victoria and Albert Museum
