£800 - £1,200
A GILT BRASS ANNULAR ARMILLARY SPHERE ORRERY TIMEPIECE DEVON CLOCKS, EXMOUTH, CIRCA 1991The horizontal eight-day movement with tandem barrel drive and inverted platform lever escapement regulated by sprung bimetallic balance applied to the underside of the top plate, set beneath silvered annular Roman numeral hour and subsidiary minutes ring reading against a single blued steel arrow-shaped hand, the superstructure modelled with an armillary sphere enclosing a heliocentric orrery simulating the relative orbits of six planets around the sun against a meridian scale calibrated in degrees to interior and with the months of the year to exterior, the orrery motionwork contained between circular plates incorporating a shaped subplate and driven by an external pinion arbor engaging with one of the barrel greatwheels of the timepiece movement beneath, The top plate engraved Devon Clocks, ENGLAND, No. 1056/1500, the whole raised on a concave lacquered brass pedestal foot with turned wooden plinth incorporating integral winding key to underside; with original glass dome cover set on a separate turned mahogany base; with Certificate of Authenticity dated 23rd September 1991 and instruction papers.The timepiece 44cm (17.25ins) high, 19cm (7.5ins) diameter; the dome and stand 47cm (18.5ins) high, 23cm (9ins) diameter at the base. Devon Clocks is the trade name for timepieces produced by Devon Instruments Ltd which was initially formed in 1946 as a commercial outlet for products and services emanating from the horological workshop at St. Loye's College, Exeter. Comprising mostly of individuals with a disability, over 85 people were employed in their heyday. In 1976 Devon Instruments acquired the business of Charles Frodsham Limited and continued in their tradition of producing mechanical clocks made to traditional designs. The present timepiece was designed by John Mercer of Exeter and was produced in a limited run of 1500 examples from around 1980.
Timepiece is in fine, clean fully working condition having been recently serviced. Dome is undamaged and the wooden plinth is in good original condition.Timepiece is complete with integral winding key.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Free Registration
| 1.00 to 20000.00: | 34.8% inc VAT* |
| 20001.00 to 500000.00: | 33.6% inc VAT* |
| 500001.00 to 1000000.00: | 27.6% inc VAT* |
| 1000001.00+: | 18.6% inc VAT* |
Flat Fee Registration
| 1.00 to 20000.00: | 31.20% inc VAT* |
| 20001.00 to 500000.00: | 30% inc VAT* |
| 500001.00 to 1000000.00: | 24% inc VAT* |
| 1000001.00+: | 15% inc VAT* |
