| Reference number | MOB/032 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Orrery by Benjamin Cole |
| Artist | Cole, Benjamin |
| Date | c.1761 |
| Description | A brass orrery with two globular fittings depicting Venus and the sun, on a wooden mount. Demonstrates the transit of Venus: when the handle is turned Venus rotates around the sun. Base inscribed 'B. COLE MAKER LONDON'. |
| Extent | 1 artefact |
| Format | Scientific Instrument |
| Materials | Wood, brass, ivory |
| Notes | Returned from Science Museum loan in 2003; SM inventory number '1900-150' |
| Access status | Open |
| Provenance | Exact provenance unknown, possibly the model donated to the Society by Washington Shirley, Fifth Earl Ferrers FRS, at the meeting of 10 December 1761; recorded JBO/25, pp.181-185 |
| URL description | Digital version available on The Royal Society Picture Library |
| URL | Picture Library [RS.3383]: https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-3383 |
| Picture Library [RS.3384] :https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-3384 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA933 | Shirley; Washington (1722 - 1778); 5th Earl Ferrers | 1722 - 1778 |