A fine reproduction early 18th-Century brass armillary orrery

AFTER JONATHON SISSON, SIGNED DEAN R. WHITE FECIT BAMPTON DEVONIA 2002

Details

A fine reproduction early 18th-Century brass armillary orrery
after Jonathon Sisson, signed Dean R. White fecit Bampton Devonia 2002
The 1-inch (2.5cm.) diameter brass sunball held on a central rod on the axis of the ecliptic, with the planets Mercury, Venus, Earth with moon, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn held on revolving spindles from the rod, the sphere consisting of equatorial, two tropic and two polar rings, the meridian circle divided in four engraved quadrants graduated in degrees, with engraved hour dial and pointer, the ecliptic band graduated in days with symbols for the houses of the Zodiac, the sphere resting on a rolling brass ball, the horizon ring graduated in days and degrees and showing the names of the months, the names and symbols for the houses of the Zodiac and compass directions, with four quadrant supports to tapering stand with plinth base, engraved Copernican Armillary Sphere and Planetarium and stamped on the underside DW with five small dots (unlacquered)
30=in. (77.5cm.) high

Lot Essay

Jonathon Sisson (1690-1747) was Mathematical Instrument Maker to His Royal Highness Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of George III. He worked at The Sphere, Corner of Beaufort Buildings, Strand, London, and in 1731 he made the original of this armillary sphere for the Prince of Wales. It is the only known instrument to have a direct connection with Prince Frederick. It was deposited in the observatory by Queen Charlotte some time in the late eighteenth century. Until recently it was in poor condition, but has been conserved and is now on show in the Science Museum in London as part of the King George III collection.

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