Orrery, probably made by W. Jones

An orrery (named after the owner of the first example, the Earl of Orrery) shows the motion of planets in the Solar System. This example was made around 1794 probably by W. Jones, a scientific instrument maker based in London. It was first described by William Jones in 1782.

The printed, hand-coloured calendar plate is marked 'A NEW PORTABLE ORRERY/Invented and Made by W. JONES,/and Sold by him in Holborn/LONDON'. The geared motions, centred on the Sun, demonstrate the annual motion of the Earth and monthly motion of the Moon. There is a fitted box (not shown) with a small lamp and candle holder to replace the Sun, providing drawing-room entertainment (and education) in the winter time.

After the deaths of the eminent makers Benjamin Martin and George Adams the younger, the most prolific manufacturer of orreries and planetariums in London was William Jones (1763-1831). He was best known for his attempts to produce useful and attractive instruments of comparatively low cost for the educational market.

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