William Jones Regency Lacquered Brass and Mahogany Portable Orrery and Tellurian
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1815
A Regency lacquered brass and mahogany portable orrery and tellurian attributed by the source to William Jones of London, circa 1815. The tellurian mechanism features an engraved brass frame, a removable central brass sun sphere, and an ivory or bone terrestrial sphere with a rising and falling moon mechanism that tracks across printed paper scales displaying lunar phases and zodiac constellations.
The train rotates over a 7.75-inch paper-covered disc base detailing calendar months, seasons, and comparative planetary sizes. The lot includes the primary square mahogany box fitted with an internal tinned oil lamp accessory and a separate hinged mahogany box containing graduated radial planetarium arms.
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
- Other scientific instrument
- Base Diameter
- 7.75 inches
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Base Inscription
- A NEW PORTABLE ORRERY, Invented and Made by W. JONES, and Sold by him in Holborn, LONDON
- Maker and Origin
- William Jones, London
- Maker / attribution
- William Jones
- Dedication Engraving
- Monthly Preceptor No. 2 above To Miss Eliz'th Parker, Aged 14, of Mettingham, near Bungay, Suffolk, as the Reward of distinguished merit
- Principal Box Dimensions
- 12cm high, 22cm square
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular printed paper base detailed with zodiac constellations, calendar scales, and planetary illustrations bordered in red. • Lacquered brass geared tellurian mechanism mounted with a central brass sun sphere and bone terrestrial sphere. • Fitted rectangular mahogany secondary box housing nested graduated radial planetarium arms topped with various spheres representing planets and moons.
- Condition and Observations
- The tellurian assembly is described as fully operational. Reported condition includes oxidation on the brass and a shrinkage crack in the bone terrestrial sphere. The paper base shows localized pigment oxidation. The main mahogany box features a repair consisting of a full-width wood slip on the rear edge and a mark near the lock. The internal tinned metal oil lamp fitting is present but empty, lacking a wick. The planetarium attachment is noted as complete with brass showing light oxidation and some re-glued spheres.
- Construction and Mechanism
- The tellurian features a lacquered brass gear train mounted on a 7.75-inch paper-covered base. The base is printed with calendar scales, zodiac signs, and planetary illustrations. The mechanism includes a bone terrestrial sphere and a moon assembly that rises and falls along a tracked ring. A separate mahogany case contains a planetarium attachment with graduated radial arms. These arms support bone and ivory spheres representing planets including Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, along with their respective moons.
- Object Identity and Provenance
- This Regency-period portable orrery and tellurian, dated circa 1815, was produced by the London firm of William Jones. The base carries an inscription identifying it as an invention and manufacture of W. Jones, Holborn, London. The instrument carries an engraved dedication identifying it as a 'Monthly Preceptor No. 2' prize awarded to Miss Elizabeth Parker of Mettingham, Suffolk. Provenance includes the Leonard Fuller Collection and a 1975 purchase from Harriet Wynter Limited, with an earlier exhibition record at Asprey & Company in 1973.
Identification
- 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: Terrestrial and planetary spheres are variously described as bone and ivory; ivory parts may face export restrictions.
- Research required: The internal tinned metal oil lamp fitting is empty and lacks a wick.
- Research required: Repairs noted on the box including an inserted slip of wood on the rear edge.