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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Orrery clock

Early 20th Century Continental Orrery Clock

Partially verified

This early 20th-century Continental horological orrery is mounted on a blue painted hexagonal base. The instrument features a fixed outer silvered calendar dial engraved with Latin month names and zodiac emblems. Nested subsidiary silvered dials indicate standard time and the bissextile leap year cycle. Centered on a gilt brass model of the Sun orbited by ivory models of Mercury and Venus, the assembly includes a rotating Earth globe with an annular 24-hour ring and moonphase apparatus. Timekeeping and the Earth assembly are driven by a single fusee movement fitted with an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement, supported within scroll-pierced brass plates.

Top-down view of the orrery clock mechanism showing the planetary assembly, dials, and engraved calendar ring
Top-down view of the orrery clock mechanism showing the planetary assembly, dials, and engraved calendar ring — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Orrery clock
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
10
Source-reported date
early 20th century
Country
Continental

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Horological Construction

The instrument is powered by a single fusee movement equipped with an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement. The timekeeping and Earth assembly are driven by this primary movement, while the remainder of the functions are powered by a separate spring barrel.

Internal structural components include shaped brass plates that are pierced with scrolls and joined by nine tapered pillars.

Evidence for this section
  • “single fusee movement with Earnshaw type detent escapement”
  • “powering the timepiece and Earth assembly, the remainder powered by a spring barrel”
  • “the shaped plates pierced with scrolls and united by nine tapered pillars”

Astronomical and Calendar Displays

The orrery features a central gilt brass model of the Sun, with ivory models of Mercury and Venus in orbit. The Earth model is depicted as a rotating unit with an integrated moonphase mechanism and an annular 24-hour dial.

An outer fixed silvered calendar dial serves as the perimeter, engraved with months in Latin and astrological emblems. Subsidiary dials for time, the bissextile year cycle, and the age of the moon are positioned below the central assembly.

Evidence for this section
  • “outer fixed silvered calendar dial engraved with astrological emblems and months in Latin”
  • “bordering dials for time, bisextile year and age of moon”
  • “rotating model of the Earth with annular 24 hour dial and moonphase”
  • “centred about the gilt brass model of the Sun with ivory models of Mercury and Venus in orbit”

Documentation and Presentation

The object is described as an early 20th-century Continental orrery. The source documentation indicates it is housed in a hexagonal glazed case on a painted base with bracket feet.

No specific maker or precise geographic provenance beyond 'Continental' is provided in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “An early 20th century Continental orrery”
  • “set in a hexagonal glazed case on painted base with bracket feet”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific workshop or geographic origin of this instrument within the 'Continental' designation?
  • Does the inclusion of the 'bissextile' cycle indicate a specific regional tradition of orrery construction?
  • Are there additional markings, maker signatures, or secondary engravings present on the plates that are not mentioned in the catalog summary?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Early 20th Century Continental Orrery Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementEarnshaw-type detent escapement“single fusee movement with Earnshaw type detent escapement”
Calendar Ring DetailsFixed silvered dial with Latin months and zodiac symbols“outer fixed silvered calendar dial engraved with astrological emblems and months in Latin”
Astronomical ElementsGilt brass Sun with ivory models of Mercury and Venus“centred about the gilt brass model of the Sun with ivory models of Mercury and Venus in orbit”
Base and CaseHexagonal glazed case on painted base with bracket feet“set in a hexagonal glazed case on painted base with bracket feet”
DimensionsCalendar 30.5 cm diameter; case 27.5 cm high“Calendar 30.5cm (12in) diameter, the case 27.5cm (10.75in) tall”
Calendar Diameter30.5 cm“Calendar 30.5cm (12in) diameter”
Case Height27.5 cm“the case 27.5cm (10.75in) tall”

Visible details

  • Plan-view perspective showing the movement plate, gear trains, and planetary assembly within a blue hexagonal mount.
  • Time dial displays Roman numerals and Breguet-style hands with a winding aperture.
  • Bissextile cycle dial is divided into sectors labelled 'COMMUNE I', 'COMMUNE II', 'COMMUNE III', and 'BISSEXTILE'.

Research qualifications

  • The glazed case and bracket feet mentioned in the auction description are not visible in this top-down photograph.
  • No specific maker or precise country of origin beyond 'Continental' is recorded in the source documentation.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : An early 20th century Continental orrery with spring detent escapement

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5e7d5897fc

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.