Ptolemaic Armillary Sphere—attributed To Félix Delamarche—paris, Circa 1820–1835

Ptolemaic armillary sphere—attributed to Félix Delamarche—Paris, circa 1820–1835

Rare French Ptolemaic armillary sphere, a teaching aid designed for the study of astronomy and geography, attributed to Félix Delamarche (1779–1835), a renowned Parisian manufacturer of globes and spheres and successor to his father, Charles-François Delamarche.

Description

The instrument consists of a wooden and cardboard structure covered with engraved and printed paper, mounted on an elegant turned base.
The various circles feature numerous astronomical and geographical markings: graduations, climate zones, a calendar, and illustrated signs of the zodiac, notably Scorpio and Cancer.
The quadrants also feature tables of latitudes and longitudes for European cities, including Dublin, Danzig, Edinburgh, and Frankfurt.

This layout is characteristic of the educational armillary spheres produced by the Delamarche firm in Paris in the early 19th century. Several preserved or documented examples feature a construction and organization of information that are very similar.

The sphere is now incomplete: the small terrestrial globe that originally occupied its center, as well as certain movable elements of the astronomical system, are missing. On known Delamarche examples, this central globe frequently bears the manufacturer’s cartouche or signature; its absence therefore prevents a definitive confirmation of the attribution.

Nevertheless, the set retains a large portion of its original engraved papers, which are particularly evocative and feature a beautiful antique patina.

Paris, first third of the 19th century, circa 1820–1835.
Attributed to Félix Delamarche and his workshop.

Condition:

Incomplete instrument. Central globe and various movable parts are missing. Wear, discoloration, stains, gaps, and lifting of the paper, as well as minor imperfections and signs of use consistent with its age. Beautiful overall patina.

A rare example of early 19th-century French scientific and educational instruments, particularly decorative despite its missing parts.

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