A Parisian silver Butterfield travel sundial. - image-1

Lot 1127 Dα

A Parisian silver Butterfield travel sundial.

Auction 1056 - overview Cologne
13.11.2015, 14:30 - Porcelain, Ceramics, Furniture, Bronzes, Carpets
Estimate: 3.000 € - 4.000 €

A Parisian silver Butterfield travel sundial.

A Parisian silver Butterfield travel sundial. Showing the polhodes between 40° and 60°, engraved with the polhodes of 31 French towns. Signed to the plaque: "Butterfield AParis". The green leather case warped, the velvet lining worn. H when extended 3.5, L 7.8 cm.
Last quarter 18th C.

The English mechanic Michael Butterfield was appointed "Ingénieur du Roi pour les instruments de mathématique" in Paris. Although the sundials of the "Butterfield Type", named after this maker, were very popular in the late 18th century, their fine scales apparently made them somewhat difficult to use.

Provenance

Aristocratic ownership, Belgium.

Literature

Cf.: Syndram "Wissenschaftliche Instrumente und Sonnenuhren", Munich 1989, cat. 46 ff.