Orrery clock with a glass celestial globe

Made:
1795-1805 in France
Orrery clock with a glass celestial globe (table orrery clock; anchor escapement;) Orrery clock with a glass celestial globe (table orrery clock; anchor escapement;)

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Science Museum Group / The Clockmakers' Museum
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museumum

Science Museum Group / The Clockmakers' Museum
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museumum

Table clock, driving an orrery contained within a glass celestial globe, unknown maker, France, c.1800.

The clock movement is mounted on a triangular base, and surrounded by three bronze figures of Atlas. These hold up a glass celestial sphere engraved with the constellations. The dial consists of an enamel chapter ring, showing the movement through the centre. The movement has an anchor escapement and pendulum with silk suspension. This drives the orrery mechanism, which is contained within the glass globe. The mechanism shows the movement of the moon around the earth, and Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn around the sun. Purchased by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1879. Clockmakers' Museum No. 567.

A handful of similar clocks are known to exist have been attributed to the French astronomical clockmaker Antide Janvier (1751–1835)

Details

Category:
Clockmakers
Collection:
The Worshipful Company of Clockmakers
Object Number:
L2015-3451
Materials:
glass, brass (copper, zinc alloy), bronze (copper, tin alloy), steel (metal) and ivory
type:
table orrery clock and anchor escapement
credit:
Lent by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers