Armillary spheres seem to be everywhere — after all, these traditional globe-like shapes make a great desk trinket or dramatic light fixture — but most have never heard their name. Although it is now typically a simplified decorative accessory, an armillary sphere (named for the Latin word "armilla," meaning "circle" or "bracelet") used to be the center of the astronomy universe. Greek and Chinese scholars created the earliest-known models around the third century to represent the universe, with the first versions depicting Earth as the center. Early astronomers would rotate the precisely angled rings to determine the movement of the stars. Armillary spheres were also used as sundials, which is why many current models include an arrow in the middle (meant to point true north).

Today we've advanced beyond the practical use of an armillary sphere, but that doesn't mean we can't reference its fascinating history in our homes. Here are some ways you can incorporate this classical, beautiful accessory into your decor.