Orrery Clock By Raingo À Paris

Often referred to as an ‘orrery,’ Raingo’s planetary clocks can be more accurately classified as ‘tellurium’ clocks. This is because the mechanism shows more than just the movement of planetary bodies in our solar system; it quite precisely illustrates how day, night and seasons are caused by the movements of the Earth, moon and sun.

Remarkably, it is estimated that only 30 of these Raingo tellurium clocks are known to exist, with merely 10 of those bearing Raingo’s signature. The present timepiece is one such example, signed ‘Raingo à Paris.’ These planetary clocks, by all accounts, were intended for domestic instructional use. However, they are so intricate and precise that only the wealthiest members of society could afford them. King George IV of England acquired four such Raingo tellurium clocks for his brothers, one now residing at Windsor Castle and another in the Sir John Soane Museum in London. Two were specifically crafted for the Sultan of Turkey, with one now part of the Musée du Cinquantenaire in Brussels. Other prestigious museums housing these clocks include the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris, the Musée de l’Horlogerie in Besançon, the Royal Collection in Madrid, the Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan and the London Science Museum.

The Tellurium
Crafted from the distinguished amboyna wood and adorned with incredibly intricate gilt bronze, this remarkable tellurium is supported by seven columns, with a central column linking the tellurium mechanism to the regulator clock below. The tellurium can operate through the clock’s movement or manually, serving as an ideal instrument for scientific instruction. The sun and the gears are crafted from gilt brass. When activated, the polychrome ceramic Earth rotates on its axis while orbiting the sun, and the silvered and blued steel moon moves independently around the Earth, maintaining its rotation. The blued portion of the moon facilitates the identification of various moon phases. Surrounding the Earth, a ring marks the equinoxes and solstices, while a dial mounted on the arms supporting this ring displays solar time. Additional features integrated into this tellurium include indicators for sunrise and sunset, the seasons and corresponding zodiac signs, a perpetual calendar that accounts for leap years, as well as the month, day and day of the week.

The Clock
Housed within its exquisite mahogany pedestal base is a stunning regulator clock of utmost precision, featuring a long-duration train movement with five wheels, a Graham escapement, a seconds pendulum and a right-angle gear drive with a vertical axis. The silver face of the clock is framed by stunning gilt bronze and indicates the time of day, day of the week and a secondary seconds dial. A masterpiece of clockmaking in its own right, the clock exemplifies the superior quality and workmanship that made Raingo a favorite among royalty and aristocracy.

Signed “Raingo a Paris”

Circa 1820

30“ high x 18” in diameter (76.20 x 45.72 cm)

Literature:
The History of Clocks and Watches, 1989, Eric Bruton
Royal Clocks: The British Monarchy and its Timekeepers 1300-1900, 1983, Cedric Jagger
La Pendule Française Dans le Monde, Volume II, 1994, Tardy
Encyclopédie de La Pendule Française du Moyen Age au XX Siècle, 1997, Pierre Kjellberg
Collector’s Dictionary of Clocks and Watches, 1999, Eric Bruton