Orrery
Category
Scientific instruments
Date
1851 - 1875
Materials
Brass, Glass, Textile, Velvet, Wood
Measurements
464 mm x 337 mm
Order this imageCollection
Lanhydrock, Cornwall
NT 883270
Summary
Orrery - Late 18th Century brass orrery (planetarium) on circular wooden stand with deep blue velvet cloth; the glass dome is modern having been made in 1999. Bears the name of Lady Mendip. Around brass face are the months of the year and twelve shortened signs of the Zodiac, e.g TAU.
Provenance
Acquired during transfer of the house to the National Trust. From a memo from Michael Trinick, dated 15 December 1975 ... "Only one woman used this title, the 2nd wife of Welbore Ellis, created Baron Mendip of Mendip, Somerset, 13 August 1794. He died 1802 and his wife in 1803. Presumably the orrery must date from the period 1794-1803. The Mendip title was inherited by Henry Agar, 2nd Viscount Clifden and thence by descent to the 8th Viscount who died in 1974 when the title became extinct. The orrery presumably came into the Robartes family with the Agar inheritance on the death of the 5th Viscount Clifden in 1899."
Marks and inscriptions
Lady Mendip