Pocket Sundial and Compass
Artist
Butterfield a Paris
(French)
Date1700-1710
MediumSilver, brass, steel
Dimensions22.2 x 60.3 x 52.4 mm
ClassificationsT&E FOR TIMEKEEPING
Credit LineProctor Collection, Thomas R. Proctor Watch Collection
Terms
Object numberPC. 256
DescriptionA SILVER BUTTERFIELD DIAL AND CASEFRENCH
CASE: octagonal, engraved with four alternating arabic and roman chapter rings labelled for latitudes: 52, 49, 46, 43 degrees; enclosing signature and circular glazed compass well labelled with cardinal and intermediate points; blued compass needle with gilt pivot; adjustable folding gnomon engraved with leafy scrolls and 40-60 degree scale indicated by beak of bird forming thesupport; Reverse: engraved with gazetteer with fitted octagonal case with hinged lid.
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Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextDuring the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, French and German makers produced pocket sundials for travelers. Engravings on the backs of the dials indicate the latitudes of the European towns and cities most frequently visited. Each sundial had a compass for orientation.
ATD
