Orrery and stand from France
Object No. 86/60
Orrery with stand and winding rod, brass / ivory / timber, France, 1851-1877
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Summary
Physical Description
Brass orrery, mounted on a wooden stand. The planets of the solar system are arranged on metal rods which radiate out from a central wooden spindle. This central spindle stands on three wooden feet. A ring of wood circles the planets horizontally. A metal winding rod with a turned wooden handle protrudes from the side and is used to reposition the planets.
DIMENSIONS
Height
1000 mm
Width
830 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The orrery is believed to have been made in France between 1851-77. The orrery was originally dated as 1846-1899 however these dates were revised following research about the discovery time frames of various planets, dwarf planets and moons and the assessment that it is not Pluto that is included in the orrery but 'Ceres' a dwarf planet in the inner solar system. All the planets included in the orrery are original, there were no later additions to them. (Andrew Jacob, Curator MAAS 2016)
HISTORY
Notes
Orreries were used in the 1700s and early 1800s to demonstrate the solar system and the rate at which the Earth and other planets orbited the Sun. This model includes eight planets and their corresponding moons. Ceres, the only dwarf planet in the inner solar system, is also included. Pluto was not discovered until 1930, so it is not represented.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Purchased 1986
Acquisition Date
14 January 1986
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