Lot 29
  • 29

CLOCK-TOP ORRERY WITH ETCHED GLASS GLOBE, CIRCA 1800

Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 USD
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Description

A heliocentric clock-top orrery with orbiting Earth and six other planets, the whole orrery enclosed within a later 9.87 inch diameter glass globe etched with constellations. The whole mounted onto a mahogany base. Orrery driven by a manual hand-crank found at side of base. 

Provenance

S.H. Hole; Christie's 2 June 1980 for £7500 & 2 July 1997 for £28,750 (as part of a Directoire White Marble, Bronze and Ormolu Skeletonized Orrery Clock)

Literature

Tardy, La Pendule Française,  Vol II, colour pl. XL, p. 204

Catalogue Note

A beautiful example of a clock-top orrery, originally from a very fine Directoire While Marble, Bronze, and Ormolu Skeletonised Orrery Clock. The drive to the orrery was originally taken directly from the second wheel pinion of the clock via a vertical arbor.