Rare Silver Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield, Paris, circa 1700
£4,900
Request Information
Follow Us
Rare Silver Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield, Paris, circa 1700
A beautiful, rare solid silver Anglo-French octagonal pocket sundial with compass by Michael Butterfield, circa 1700.
The sundial is made for a latitude of 44° and could be used in places in the south of France such as Avignon and elsewhere along this parallel. The elaborately engraved base plate has a Roman chapter ring on which the gnomon (a triangular flap) casts its shadow. It is signed by the maker in the following manner: Butterfield A Paris. On one side is a glazed recessed compass with a blued steel hand to position the instrument in such a way that the time can be read. The hinged triangular gnomon is richly engraved and in the shape of a bird’s head. The folding gnomon and cut corners enable the dial to be carried in the pocket.
The underside shows the latitudes of various Southern-French places in the relevant areas
Its maker Michael Butterfield was an English instrument maker who based himself in ‘Le Quay de l’Horloge’ of Paris from circa 1685. These types of dials, often replicated by other makers, became known as Butterfield Dials after their original inventor.
They were a fashionable and functional traveller’s accessory from the late 17th century onwards. Interestingly, early watches did not keep time particularly well and a dial such as this were used to regularly set a watch. Anecdotally, sundials may also have been preferred to sounding timepieces whilst on the road – the chimes being thought to attract thieves.
Similar examples can be found in the British Maritime Museum, V&A and the British Museum.
Condition
Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions
Height: 2.56 in. (6.5 cm)
Width: 2.29 in. (5.8 cm)
Depth: 0.4 in. (1 cm)
Literature
Tardy, Dictionnaire des horlogers français, Paris, 1971, p. 103
C. Cowham, A Dial in Your Poke, Cambridge, 2004, passim
H.Higton, Sundials, An Illustrated History of Portable Dials, London, 2001, passim
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Fine Ebonized George II Eight Day Table Clock with Dutch Striking and Trip Rep
Fine Ebonized George II Eight Day Table Clock with Dutch Striking and Trip Rep £14,900 Follow UsFine Ebonized George II Eight Day Table Clock with Dutch Striking and Trip Rep By the highly regarded maker Andrew Prime. Andrew Prime, was...
17th Century Figured Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Lace Box
17th Century Figured Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Lace Box £3,600 Follow Us17th Century Figured Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Lace Box A fine and extremely rare figured walnut and seaweed marquetry 'lace box', circa.... let’s break it down -...
19th Century Repeating Gilt-Brass Carriage Clock by the Famous Drocourt
19th Century Repeating Gilt-Brass Carriage Clock by the Famous Drocourt £5,600 Follow Us19th Century Repeating Gilt-Brass Carriage Clock by the Famous Drocourt A superb repeating carriage clock with a gilt-brass gorge case by the famous maker...
17th-Century Hague Clock Signed by Pieter Visbagh, circa 1675
Small 17th Century Hague clock made c. 1675 by Pieter Visbagh, who was apprenticed by Salomon Coster. The latter made the first pendulum clock according to the instructions of Christiaan Huygens, the internationally renowned scientist who developed the idea of applying a pendulum to a clock movement.
Pair of 18th-Century English Rococo Gilt Bronze Andirons or Firedogs
An exceptional pair of 18th century English Rococo gilt bronze andirons or fire dogs.
The bold shape of these andirons relate to designs of Thomas Johnson (1714–1778), one of London’s pioneers of the ‘Modern’ or French style, later known as Rococo.
Oil Painting of a Horse Standing Proud in Woodland
Fine Art – Charles Henry Scwanfelder (1774-1837). Signed C H Schwanfelder Pinx and dated 1825. An exceptional portrait of a horse standing proud in woodland, in front of a tree-lined vista incorporating cows residing by a stream.
Fine Ebonized George II Eight Day Table Clock with Dutch Striking and Trip Rep
Fine Ebonized George II Eight Day Table Clock with Dutch Striking and Trip Rep £14,900 Follow UsFine Ebonized George II Eight Day Table Clock with Dutch Striking and Trip Rep By the highly regarded maker Andrew Prime. Andrew Prime, was...
17th Century Figured Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Lace Box
17th Century Figured Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Lace Box £3,600 Follow Us17th Century Figured Walnut and Seaweed Marquetry Lace Box A fine and extremely rare figured walnut and seaweed marquetry 'lace box', circa.... let’s break it down -...
19th Century Repeating Gilt-Brass Carriage Clock by the Famous Drocourt
19th Century Repeating Gilt-Brass Carriage Clock by the Famous Drocourt £5,600 Follow Us19th Century Repeating Gilt-Brass Carriage Clock by the Famous Drocourt A superb repeating carriage clock with a gilt-brass gorge case by the famous maker...
17th-Century Hague Clock Signed by Pieter Visbagh, circa 1675
Small 17th Century Hague clock made c. 1675 by Pieter Visbagh, who was apprenticed by Salomon Coster. The latter made the first pendulum clock according to the instructions of Christiaan Huygens, the internationally renowned scientist who developed the idea of applying a pendulum to a clock movement.
Pair of 18th-Century English Rococo Gilt Bronze Andirons or Firedogs
An exceptional pair of 18th century English Rococo gilt bronze andirons or fire dogs.
The bold shape of these andirons relate to designs of Thomas Johnson (1714–1778), one of London’s pioneers of the ‘Modern’ or French style, later known as Rococo.
Oil Painting of a Horse Standing Proud in Woodland
Fine Art – Charles Henry Scwanfelder (1774-1837). Signed C H Schwanfelder Pinx and dated 1825. An exceptional portrait of a horse standing proud in woodland, in front of a tree-lined vista incorporating cows residing by a stream.