Sold for $20,000

Sold prices are inclusive of Buyer’s Premium

Lot Description

A George III Portable Table Orrery

William Jones, London, Circa 1795

the geared tellurium with an Earth, moon and brass sun, surmounting a hand-colored paper calendar on a wood base with astrological and zodiac charts and marked A NEW PORTABLE ORRERY, Invented and Made by W. Jones and Sold by Him in Holborn, LONDON; the ungeared orrery in a fitted mahogany case and having Sun, planets, moon and Jupiter and Saturn satellites, with a William Jones description manual in a modern cloth binding.
Height of case 4 3/4 x width 8 1/2 x depth 8 1/4 inches.

Property from a Private Collector, Lincolnwood, Illinois

Condition Report

With key. Included in this lot is a related book Description and Use of an Orrery - William Jones 1794.
Diameter of wood base: 8 inches.
Tellurium paper astrological ring lifting from metal support, currently secured with a silk thread. Boss-nut at center of base stuck to screw of tellurium, appears to be correct size for orrery aswell, but not able to verify due to being stuck to screw on tellurium post.
Lacquer and paper over paper in good condition, light wear and yellowing consistent with age and minimal use.
Ring of Saturn on orrery recently professionally repaired, but no new ivory parts were added. All Ivory parts appear original and display signs of age consistent with being over 200 years old and pre-CITES, however items are ivory and might be subject to import-export lots based on their destination. Case with detached locking hardware. Additional images available upon request.

The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Hindman staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.

The absence of a posted condition report on the Hindman website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Hindman.

Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.