Fine & Rare, Empire Amboyna Orrery & Music Box by Zacharie-Nicholas-AmÈ-Joseph Raingo (1775 - 1847)

Circa 1820. M. Raingo, Paris, orrery, two train clock in an Empire style case with ormolu mounts on ambona wood. The earth revolves on its axis daily, the moon circles the earth, and the entire system turns about the sun in one year. The three horizontal dials indicate the zodiac and month divisions, lunar divisions, and divisions of the four years including leap year. The crank is for setting or demonstrating the planetary display which is driven by a four year spring but controlled from the time train. In the base is a music box which is wound separately. This feature is known to exist in only a few other specimens.

Marks of (Michel Journe, uncle of F. P. Journe) on the back of the front plate, M. Journe / A Paris / Le III Avril 1975.

Literature: Tardy, French Clocks the World Over, Part II, p.224 (pictured).

Exhibition: National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Commemorative Exhibition, 1976, Anaheim, California.