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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Scientific instrument

William Jones Regency Lacquered Brass and Mahogany Portable Orrery and Tellurian

Partially verified

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.

Overview of the portable tellurian on its printed disc base, alongside the main mahogany case and opened planetarium accessory box
Overview of the portable tellurian on its printed disc base, alongside the main mahogany case and opened planetarium accessory box — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.dreweatts.com
Category
Tool · Scientific instrument
Maker / attribution
William Jones
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1001
Source-reported date
circa 1815
Country
United Kingdom

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

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “WILLIAM JONES, LONDON, CIRCA 1815”
  • “A NEW PORTABLE ORRERY, Invented and Made by W. JONES, and Sold by him in Holborn, LONDON”
  • “engraved Monthly Preceptor No. 2 above To Miss Eliz'th Parker, Aged 14, of Mettingham, near Bungay, Suffolk, as the Reward of distinguished merit”

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.

Evidence for this section
  • “7.75 inch disc base applied with printed paper scale”
  • “Lacquered brass geared tellurian mechanism mounted with a central brass sun sphere and bone terrestrial sphere.”
  • “separately cased orrery or planetarium attachment, with central post applied with brass solar sphere issuing pivoted graduated radial arms applied with bone and ivory spheres depicting Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn together with respective 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.

Evidence for this section
  • “ivory terrestrial sphere has a slight shrinkage crack”
  • “The rear top edge of the box has had a full width slip of wood let-in across the full width”
  • “cylindrical tinned metal oil lamp fitting which is empty does not have a wick fitted”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 'Monthly Preceptor No. 2' designation regarding potential production numbers?
  • What specific regulatory requirements apply to the ivory and bone components for international transport/export?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for William Jones Regency Lacquered Brass and Mahogany Portable Orrery and Tellurian
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and OriginWilliam Jones, London“WILLIAM JONES, LONDON, CIRCA 1815”
Base InscriptionA NEW PORTABLE ORRERY, Invented and Made by W. JONES, and Sold by him in Holborn, LONDON“A NEW PORTABLE ORRERY, Invented and Made by W. JONES, and Sold by him in Holborn, LONDON”
Dedication EngravingMonthly Preceptor No. 2 above To Miss Eliz'th Parker, Aged 14, of Mettingham, near Bungay, Suffolk, as the Reward of distinguished merit“engraved Monthly Preceptor No. 2 above To Miss Eliz'th Parker, Aged 14, of Mettingham, near Bungay, Suffolk, as the Reward of distinguished merit”
Base Diameter7.75 inches“7.75 inch disc base applied with printed paper scale”
Principal Box Dimensions12cm high, 22cm square“The principal box 12cm (4.75ins) high, 22cm (8.5ins) square”
Designer PrincipleJames Ferguson“The design of present lot was developed by William Jones in 1812 primarily as an education aid based upon the principles of 'James Ferguson's construction'.”

Visible details

  • 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.

Research qualifications

  • Terrestrial and planetary spheres are variously described as bone and ivory; ivory parts may face export restrictions.
  • The internal tinned metal oil lamp fitting is empty and lacks a wick.
  • Repairs noted on the box including an inserted slip of wood on the rear edge.

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

Consulted source

A FINE REGENCY LACQUERED BRASS AND MAHOGANY ‘PORTABLE ORRERY’ AND TELLURIAN

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 691bf6898d

Terms in this record

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

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