Ernst Schotte & Co. Orrery

Description:

Ernst Schotte & Co. Orrery, Germany, c. 1870, brass sun ball atop central shaft, nine black-painted iron planetary arms with painted wooden planets and moons on wire arms, Saturn with rings and eight moons, Jupiter with five moons, Mars with two moons, painted blue Earth with its moon, colored circular paper horizon plate reading in part Ernst Schotte & Co. Berlin, W Geographisch artistische Anstalt with Zodiacal and Gregorian calendar, and outer scales, days of the month and seasons, separate smaller subsidiary dial showing days of the month, all resting on a cast iron tulip-form base, geared mechanism with turning handle, ht. 15 1/2 in.
Estimate $15,000-25,000

overall good condition, some paper losses and staining, subsidiary dial lacking hand.


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords