Rare Copernician Planetarium with mechanical brass celestial sphere attributed to Emile Bertaux, made late XIXth century
POA
Dimensions
Height of 76 cm x diameter of 50 cm. Base: length of 31,5 cm x width of 32 cm.
Circa
end of 19th century
Maker
attributed to Bertaux, Paris
Country of manufacture
France
Description
Rare Copernician Planetarium with mechanical brass celestial sphere, on a walnut and mahogany base, attributed to Emile Bertaux, late XIXth century.
With multiple brass spheres of various sizes and smaller spheres rotating around a central axis with a graduated circular dial on the base inscribed “SUD” “EAST” “NORTH” “WEST”, and the twelve astrological signs.
The crank mechanism drives the nine planets: six mounted on curved armatures and two others, as well as the Earth and Moon mounted on a crank mechanism showing their orbits around the Sun. All mounted in a glass sphere with applied paper stars representing the constellations.
The turned mahogany pedestal and veneered square base contains the crank mechanism on the side.
Note: Emile Bertaux (1840-1903) was a publisher of geographical works and manufacturer of globes. He succeeded Charles Dien’s company, and set up shop at Rue Serpente, 25, Paris.
He was awarded a bronze medal at the 1867 International Exhibition, and later designed a planetarium with a clockwork movement contained in a glass star sphere, illustrated in the 1882 catalog.
Reference: A similar planetarium and celestial sphere signed “Bertaux, géographe 25 rue Serpente Paris 1892” are kept at the Musée de la Marine, Paris, inventory 15 NA13.
Dimensions: height of 76 cm x diameter of 50 cm. Base: length of 31,5 cm x width of 32 cm.
France made in the end of the XIXth century.
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Dealer information
Galerie Delalande Paris
After 37 years in Le Louvre des Antiquaires, the Delalande gallery moved early June 2015 to 35 rue de Lille, 75007 Paris, on the other side of the Seine River in the well known antic shops area "le Carré Rive Gauche".
Our main specialties are, since 1976, Marine and Scientific instruments, Tobacco and Opium objects, Curiosities and Great Canes.
We participate to international antique fairs (TEFAF Maastricht) and are unique partner of the French Maritime Museum.
Eric Delalande is also Administrator of the French Experts National Company (C.N.E.).
Please visit also our two websites, which are frequently updated: www.antiquites-delalande.fr (French) and www.delalande-antiques.com (English). ----------------------------
La Galerie Delalande s'est installée en juin 2015 au 35 rue de Lille (75007 Paris), au coeur de la capitale dans le "Carré Rive Gauche", après 37 années de présence au Louvre des Antiquaires.
Nous nous sommes orientés, depuis 1976, vers plusieurs spécialités : Marine et Sciences, Objets du tabac et de l'Opium, Cannes de collection et Curiosités.
Nous participons à des salons d'envergure internationale (TEFAF Maastricht) et sommes partenaires exclusifs du Musée National de la Marine.
Eric Delalande est également Administrateur de la Compagnie Nationale des Experts (C.N.E.).
N'hésitez pas à visiter nos deux sites internet fréquemment mis à jour : www.antiquites-delalande.fr (Français) and www.delalande-antiques.com (Anglais).
