Butterfield-type sundial with case
Date: circa 1740
Inventory Number: 7034
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Pierre-Louis Menant (fl. 1730 - 1750)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
gnomon as found: 6.6 × 3.4 × 7.4 cm (2 5/8 × 1 5/16 × 2 15/16 in.)
closed: 1.4 × 6.6 × 7.4 cm (9/16 × 2 5/8 × 2 15/16 in.)
case: 2.8 × 8.8 × 8.5 cm (1 1/8 × 3 7/16 × 3 3/8 in.)
Accessories: case
Description:
Brass octagonal dial plate with compass at one end. Four hour scales for latitudes 40, 45, 49, and 52 degrees are numbered alternately in Roman and Arabic numbers. Bird gnomon for latitudes 40 to 60.
Wind rose with fleur-de-lys pointing North. "N, E, S, O" mark cardinal points. "NE, SE, SO, NO" mark four intermediate points. Eight divisions are provided. The magnetic declination is marked east of north.
The reverse side of the dial plate is engraved with the names and latitudes (in degrees) of 16 European towns with 6 more on the back of the compass bowl, divided into 4 quadrants by latitude. Some of the cities are in the wrong quadrant, particularly in the first quadrant which has cities ranging in latitude from 42 to 51. "Turin" is listed twice in sixth and seventh place in right column.
Octagonal black leather case lined with burgundy velvet on bottom and silk on top. Covered hinge on the left, botton clasp.
Wind rose with fleur-de-lys pointing North. "N, E, S, O" mark cardinal points. "NE, SE, SO, NO" mark four intermediate points. Eight divisions are provided. The magnetic declination is marked east of north.
The reverse side of the dial plate is engraved with the names and latitudes (in degrees) of 16 European towns with 6 more on the back of the compass bowl, divided into 4 quadrants by latitude. Some of the cities are in the wrong quadrant, particularly in the first quadrant which has cities ranging in latitude from 42 to 51. "Turin" is listed twice in sixth and seventh place in right column.
Octagonal black leather case lined with burgundy velvet on bottom and silk on top. Covered hinge on the left, botton clasp.
Signedon top: Menant AParis
Functiontime-finding : 40-60 degrees
Curatorial RemarksCase is probably a replacement.
ProvenanceParis; David P Wheatland Collection, Topsfield MA; GIft to CHSI c. 1985