Orrery clock with a glass celestial globe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1795-1805
This French table clock dates to circa 1795 to 1805 and incorporates an orrery enclosed within a glass celestial globe engraved with constellations. The movement is mounted on a triangular base and flanked by three patinated bronze figures of Atlas who support the celestial sphere.
A white enamel chapter ring displays the time while revealing the movement's gearing at the center. The source states the movement features an anchor escapement and a pendulum on a silk suspension, providing drive to the orrery mechanism above. Within the globe, the planetary gearing depicts the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth with its moon, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn around the central sun.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Table orrery clock
- Origin
- France
- Date Range
- 1795-1805
- Escapement
- Anchor escapement
- Place recorded
- France
- Sculptural Support
- Three bronze figures of Atlas
Design
- Visible features
- • Three dark patinated bronze male Atlas figures uphold a clear glass celestial sphere. • A central brass clock pillar features a white enamel ring with Roman numerals and an open gear-revealing center. • Planetary spheres mounted on radial arms are visible inside the glass sphere above brass gearing.
- Construction and Design
- This table clock features a movement mounted on a triangular base and is surrounded by three bronze figures of Atlas. These figures support a glass celestial sphere which is engraved with constellations. The orrery mechanism is housed inside the glass globe. It depicts the moon orbiting the Earth, as well as the orbits of Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn around the sun.
- Attribution and Record Information
- The maker of the clock is recorded as unknown. While similar examples exist that have been attributed to the French clockmaker Antide Janvier, this attribution is not definitive for this object. The object is associated with the Clockmakers' Museum (No. 567) and was purchased by the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1879.
- Timekeeping and Mechanical Integration
- The timekeeping display is characterized by an enamel chapter ring, with the center of the dial open to reveal the clock's movement. The movement employs an anchor escapement and a pendulum with a silk suspension. This movement also provides the drive for the orrery mechanism located within the celestial globe.
Identification
- Reference
- L2015-3451
- Object Number
- L2015-3451
- Museum Inventory Number
- Clockmakers' Museum No. 567
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Maker is officially recorded as unknown, though the source mentions similar clocks have been attributed to Antide Janvier.
- Research required: Rear of movement, suspension, and escapement details are not visible in the front photograph.