MADE IN LONDON, CIRCA 1800

Details

A REGENCY ARMILLARY SPHERE
MADE IN LONDON, CIRCA 1800
The 12-inch brass armillary sphere composed of ecliptic engraved with scales for calendar and zodiac, equator 0-360° and I-XXIV, rings labelled for Arctic Circle, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Antarctic Circle, two colures each engraved 0-90°-90°, at north celestial pole two dials rotate brass arms carrying a brass solar sphere and ivory lunar sphere, at the southern pole two dials rotate the entire armillary and central Earth axis with hour pointer to circle engraved on the inside 1-12-1-12, the 3-inch terrestrial comprised of twelve hand-coloured gores and two calottes, cartouche A NEW Terrestrial GLOBE by J. Newton 1800, supported in brass meridian engraved 0-90°-90°, with adjustable horizon ring 0-90°-90° and 8-point compass rose, the stand with adjustment arc 0-90° on tapering column with folding tripod feet.

25in. (63.5cm.) high

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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James Hyslop

jhyslop@christies.com +44 (0)20 7752 3205

Lot Essay

The armillary is in the style of that described by George Adams (1709-1772) in his Astronomical and Geographical Essays (London: 1766). If it were made by him, or his sons George (1750-1795) and Dudley (1762-1830) then one might expect the interior globe to carry the Adams name. A likely candidate for the maker of this instrument is the firm W. & S. Jones (1791-1859) who used globes by other London makers on their New Portable Orrery. Their catalogue of 1808 listing instruments "removed from their old shop, No. 135 [Holborn]" lists armillary spheres of 12-inch diameter for 13 guineas; but by 1812 when they reissue Adams' Essays, having bought the copyright to Adam's works from his widow, they no longer sell such instruments.

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