About the Work

Constructed in Japan during the first half of the 17th century, the ‘Sphere of Geneva’ replicates the positions of the sun, moon, and stars, all observed from one precise latitude: the ancient capital of Edo. The instrument is regulated by a horological mechanism similar to those imported by Jesuit missionaries during the 16th century, before being taken back by Japanese clockmakers during the 17th century.

Encompassed by two hemispheres in copper and ornate gilding, the sphere is encircled with a central circular band, trimmed with 365 rectangles symbolising the ecliptic. The band's length is decorated with 24 gilt Chinese characters spaced at equal distances. These represent the solar cycles according to the traditional division accepted in East Asia.

Throughout 17th-century Japan, we discover further indications of the first astronomical instruments with clock mechanisms. Even though the Nikko sanctuary possesses an armillary sphere from the second half of the 17th century, it shows no similarities to the ‘Sphere of Geneva’. Therefore, it appears that the ‘Sphere of Geneva’ is a unique example of its kind known today.

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Provenance

Provenance
Previously in the Givaudan Collection, Geneva.
Acquired by the Marguerite Gobard Gallery, Paris, in 1936.
Exhibitions
• Musée National des Arts Asiatiques – Guimet, Paris
May 16th to September 10th 2018: “The world seen from
Asia – Over the maps” - Le Monde vu d’Asie - Au fil des
cartes.
- The sphere is reproduced in the exhibition catalogue:
Fabrice Argounès & Pierre Singaravélou, Le Monde
vu d’Asie - Une histoire cartographique, Paris, Le Seuil /
MNAAG, 2018, p.121
• Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Paris
April 16th to July 21st 2019: “Globes, Visions of the World”
- Le Monde en Sphères.
Publication
• Daisy Lion-Goldschmidt & Jean-Claude MoreauGobard, Chinese Art, (First published in 1966 by
Oldbourne Press, London) Phaidon, Oxford, 1980, p.
86-87.