DATED 1851

細節

AN EARLY VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD AND MARQUETRY PLANETARY CENTRE TABLE
DATED 1851
The circular tilt-top inlaid with concentric rings depicting the solar system, centred by the Sun, enclosed by a band depicting the signs of the Zodiac, inlaid with lettering 'PLANETARY SYSTEM 18 51', on a spreading shaft with foliate base, the circular plinth inlaid with phases of the Moon, on later scrolled feet with sunk brass castors, restorations
28½ in. (72.5 cm.) high; 48 in. (122 cm.) diameter

來源

By descent in the family of the vendor's husband, probably since the 19th century.

注意事項

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

拍品專文

This remarkable table depicts the organisation of the planets of the solar system, the constellations of the Zodiac (their symbols inlaid around the edge of the top) and notable astronomical events of 1851. The path of Halley's comet is noted either side of the numerals '51', its tail extending toward the symbol of Cancer. Halley's comet was not actually visible in 1851 but representations of the planets usually show its very distinctive path. The other comet is probably d'Arrest's comet, which was discovered on 28th June 1851 by Heinrich L. d'Arrest. On the base are depicted the phases of the total eclipse of the sun of 1851, which passed over southern Norway and Sweden on 28 July 1851. The first recorded photograph of a solar eclipse was taken during this eclipse.

PLANETS IN SEQUENCE FROM THE SUN:
i. Mercury
ii. Venus
iii. Earth
iv. Mars
v. Jupiter
vi. Saturn
vii. Uranus
viii. Neptune

COMETS:
From outer orbit: Halley
From inner orbit: d'Arrest

BASE OF THE TABLE:
The phases of the total solar eclipse of 1851.