Pocket Watch Case

Nice early XVIII brass sundial by Butterfield, Paris. The octagonal dial plate’s four hour scales, declination lines and numerals are engraved. The adjustable bird gnomon is finely engraved and markers for 40 to 60 degree latitudes, the bird’s beak acting as a pointer. The reverse is engraved with a table of latitudes with the names of sixteen cities, predominantly French, but also european capitals as London, Vienne, Madrid, Bruxelles, Basel, Milan and Turin. The compass bears the hallmark Fleur de Lys. Superb craftsmanship and elegant details belie its originality. The sundial measures 77 x 66mm. Case is 87 x 76 x 22mm. Comes in it’s original case of leather and green velvet (the case is in “as is” condition). The mineral glass is slightly domed. The hand of the compass is practically stuck. He arrived to France in 1663 and established manufactory of mathematical and astronomical instruments in Paris, firstly at faubourg Saint-Germain(1678) further at Quai de l’Horloge (1691). In 1680 under J. Cassini he made a planisphere for Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris. Being engineer of king Louis XIV for scientific instruments, he invented “quarts of circle” (instrument for measuring angles) and the sundial type, which got his name. THIS IS ORIGINAL ITEM FROM XVIII CENTURY. PLEASE IGNORE Circa 1900. FROM DESCRIPTION, IT’S COPY/PASTE ERROR FROM MY OTHER LISTING. The item “Antique XVIII BUTTERFIELD a PARIS Brass Sundial in Original Case” is in sale since Sunday, May 15, 2016. This item is in the category “Antiques\Maritime\Compasses”. The seller is “sparklingbear” and is located in Armentières en Brie. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Maker: Butterfield a Paris