Astronomical Instruments of the Imperial Observatory

A large woodcut depicts two astronomical instruments. The upper diagram, Figure 59, shows a celestial sphere with concentric circles and a meridian ring, connected to a suspended weight system and a vertical scale. The lower diagram, Figure 58, illustrates a complex instrument—likely an armillary sphere or horizontal dial—supported by a tripod with ornate dragon-motif legs, featuring a gridded horizontal ring and a sighting arm held by a stylized dragon or cloud bracket.

Figure 59

Jia

Figure 58

Ji
Geng