Heritage Crafts

Orrery making

The making of orreries, mechanical solar system models that have been made for centuries as teaching aids.
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
Status
Critical
Craft category
Other
Historic area of significance
London
Area practiced currently
Norfolk, Essex
Origin in the UK
16th Century
Current No. of professionals (Main income)
1
Current No. of professionals (Side income)
1-2
Current No. of trainees
0
Current total No. of serious amateur makers
1
Current No. of leisure makers
2 estimated

History

Orreries were first made as teaching aids to explain how the solar system worked. One of the first known orreries is the Antikythera mechanism, dated between 150 and 100 BC and discovered in 1900 in a wreck off the Greek island of Antikythera. It shows the the diurnal motions of the Sun, Moon, and the five planets known at the time.

Clock makers George Graham and Thomas Tompion built what is considered the first modern orrery around 1704. Modern orreries are still used as teaching aids, but are increasingly collected as artworks. Modern orrery makers push the boundaries of the traditional orrery model to incorporate a greater number of complex movements such as a great number of orbiting moons and planet surface features such as Jupiter’s Great Red Spot.

Techniques

The manufacture of orreries requires a high level of mechanical engineering techniques, woodworking and mathematical skills, and a good sense of design.

Sub-crafts

Allied crafts:

  • Horology
  • Globe making

Issues affecting the viability

  • Market issues: There is a worldwide demand for top quality orreries, but the problem that a lot of makers face is the high level of skill required to make a quality orrery, plus the mathematics involved.
  • Ageing practitioners: Most existing practitioners are past retirement age
  • Training and recruitment issues: There are no recognised or structured training programmes for orrery making.
  • Training issues: There are currently no instructional publications that would assist with people wanting to learn orrery making

Training organisations

There are no specific training courses for orrery making. However, there are watch and clock making courses that will have some transferable skills.

Peter Grimwood has run a 1-day orrerymaking course at West Dean, and they are exploring the practicalities of an in depth training course of four three-day sessions extending over a few months.

West Dean College of Arts and Conservation (Chichester)

  • Foundation Degree (FdA) in Clocks: A two-year practical course that integrates conservation principles with clockmaking.
  • Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip): A program focused on advanced conservation and restoration techniques.
  • Short Courses: Cover specific skills including orrery making

Birmingham City University (BCU)

  • BA (Hons) Horology program, the only degree of its kind in the UK, which combines traditional craftsmanship with modern technology. Students learn repair, design, and manufacturing of clocks and watches, with access to cutting-edge facilities.

British Horological Institute (BHI)

Students progress through a distance learning course (DLC) or in-person practical training.

  • Diploma in Clock and Watch Servicing (Level 3)
    • Designed for beginners and those entering the field.
    • Covers servicing and basic repair of clocks and watches.
    • Requires 420 guided study hours.
  • Diploma in the Servicing and Repair of Clocks/Watches (Level 4)
    • More advanced servicing and repairs, suitable for those with intermediate skills.
    • Completion meets the criteria for accredited membership (MBHI).
  • Diploma in the Repair, Restoration, and Conservation of Clocks/Watches (Level 5)
    • Focuses on advanced restoration and conservation techniques.
    • Completion meets the criteria for fellowship (FBHI).
  • Hands-On Practical Courses: Short workshops and taster sessions at Upton Hall in Nottinghamshire.

Craftspeople currently known

  • Staines & Son – Derek Staines now works part time in the business, while son Tim works full time.
  • Orreries UK, Essex – Peter Grimwood, now on a part-time basis
  • Ted Goode – part-time maker

References

There is nothing published on the craft of orrery making. There are a few books on individual orreries, and Henry King’s 1978 Geared to the Stars is a comprehensive review of the historical development of orreries.

Peter Grimwood has started to write a book on Orrerymaking. Here is an extract from the rear cover dustjacket …This book tells you what orreries are, what they do, how to design them, how to make them and how to do this as a business. 

Red List informants 2025

Our thanks go to our 2025 informants:

  • Staines & Son Orrery Makers

We consult with a wide range of practitioners and organisations to review and update the Red List. Some choose to remain anonymous but all feedback is taken into account.

If you would like to suggest any changes or additions to this page please contact us here

National Lottery Heritage Fund
Swire Charitable Trust
The Royal Mint
Pilgrim Trust
Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation
William Grant Foundation

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