thegetty: 18th century time machine? This clock not only tells…
Wednesday, September 25th, 2013
18th century time machine?
This clock not only tells time, but what month it is, what zodiacal sign it is, what day of the lunar month it is, and the local time in various cities in other parts of the world (including La Californie).
Planisphere Clock, 1745-1749, Case attributed to Jean-Pierre Latz, furniture worker; movement (now missing) by Alexandre Fortier, clockmaker. J. Paul Getty Museum.
This piece blew me away when I visited the Getty. The wood inlay work is beautiful. Among the other things this clock displayed:
- tides in northern French ports
- phases of the moon
- days of the week
- times of eclipses of the Jovian moon Io
I have to think the Io-eclipse one was always saved for last:
Proud owner: And finally, monsieur, what do you think this dial displays? No? You cannot guess? Then I shall tell you: Nothing other than the eclipses of Io, the moon of Jupiter!
Astonished guest: Mon Dieu!
Proud owner: [maniacal Gallic laughter]
Photos from my visit:
Reposted from http://lies.tumblr.com/post/62307948917.
