A fine and unusual late 19th-Century Dutch brass orrery, , A fine and unusual late 19th-Century Dutch brass orrery,

Notice Regarding the Sale of Ivory and Tortoiseshe… Read more

A fine and unusual late 19th-Century Dutch brass orrery,

Details

A fine and unusual late 19th-Century Dutch brass orrery,
signed on the base plate A. RISJMA. STEIJNMOLLER, with yellow-stained ivory Earth ball with black equatorial and tropic lines, held at a 23° degree angle over a complex multi-wheeled gear mechanism incorporating a lunar cycle disc graduated around the edge 1-29½, a smaller stained ivory moon ball, half-painted black, and running along an angled path to simulate its rising and setting, with the wheeled mechanism connecting to the sun ball at the centre, also with an index to read off the elegantly engraved horizon circle, showing days of the month in French and days of the houses of the Zodiac with sigils only, raised on four baluster-turned brass legs, with further gearing in the centre on a base plate with signature, turned by means of an elegant steel handle, on a circular mahogany base with four bun feet -- 6¼in. (15.9cm.) diameter

See Colour Illustrations

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Ivory and Tortoiseshell Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing ivory or tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

Lot Essay

Despite a lengthy search of the literature, no trace of the maker A. Rijsma can be found. This, together with the unusual design of the orrery, would suggest perhaps a highly-skilled amateur maker. This might also explain the unusual lack of lines of longitude on the Earth globe, which appears to be the original.