ERNST SCHOTTE, CIRCA 1892

A prolific manufacturer of globes and planetaria of various sizes and forms, Ernst Schotte & Co. were one of the major names in late nineteenth century German globe-making. Their orreries designed for didactic use have also an elegant appearance. This very rare model by Schotte is known in another example sold Christie's Los Angeles, 24 Oct 2001 lot 127 $35,250. Their orreries are rarely found in such good working condition.

The number of satellites on each planet can help us date this orrery quite narrowly: Amalthea (Jupiter V) was discovered in 1892, and Phoebe (Saturn IX) in 1899.