Globe, Planetary Model, Large Geared Tellurian, Felkl & Sons, Prague, Late 19th Century (Sold)

Jan Felkl & Sons
Geared Tellurian
Prague: Late 19th Century
Cast iron and wood
14 inches high, 24 inches long

An astronomical demonstration device, geared so that the earth revolves around the sun to demonstrate various principles of astronomy such as the reason for day and night, solar and lunar eclipses, phases of the moons, and the seasons.

The cast-iron base has at one end a candle in a cylindrical candle holder representing the sun and a mirrored concave reflector on an adjustable rod to cast the light from the candle upon the moon and earth. These are mounted above a round disc with engraved paper calendar and zodiac, on a central standard and round domed base with raised beaded decoration. The crank mechanism operates a gear box through the center of a revolving tubular arm with curved decorative bracket support. A two-inch terrestrial globe rotates above the gear box, with a wooden representation of the moon revolving around the earth.

For more information about the Felkl family of globemakers, visit our Guide to Globe Makers.