Table orrery c. 1800 - 1808

This table orrery was crafted by Hartog van Laun, presenting a mechanical model of the solar system. The orrery embodies the Enlightenment's fascination with reason and scientific inquiry. Made in a time of great scientific advancement, it offered a tangible representation of the cosmos. With its intricate gears and detailed celestial markings, the orrery reflects the prevailing worldview of a predictable, clockwork universe, governed by natural laws discoverable through observation and calculation. The signs of the zodiac are also displayed, reflecting the close relationship between emergent scientific investigation and older astrological traditions. Such devices were often commissioned by wealthy patrons. The orrery served as a symbol of their enlightened status and engagement with the most advanced ideas of the time. Historians examining objects like this one draw from sources ranging from scientific treatises to merchants’ inventories, to better understand its cultural resonance. In doing so, we can understand its role in shaping perceptions of science, class and social status.