inclining sundial
Date1730-1760
Inventory Number7065
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Pierre Le Maire II
fl. 1730 - 1760
Place of Origin
Dimensions1.7 × 5 × 4.9 cm (11/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 15/16 in.)
Material
AccessoriesShagreen fitted case with green velvet lining , exterior decorated with nails.
Descriptioninclining sundial with long-necked bird setting latitude
A small horizontal inclining dial with a folding gnomom designed for a latitude of 60° and mounted over a compass. The chapter ring is hinged and engraved with Roman Numerals from III to XII to IX with 15 minute increments. A folding scale calibrated from -5° to 65° and graduated in 1° increments is provided for adjusting the inclination of the chapter ring between 0° and 60° latitude. The compass rose is divided into 8 points marked "NORT, N-E, EST, S-E, SUD, S-O, OUEST, and N-O with a declination scale graduated in 2° increments from -70° to +70°. The latitudes in degrees and minutes for 30 towns are engraved on both sides of the base and the back of the compass bowl.,Brass pointer for setting magnetic declination., Bird beak used as indicator , similar to Butterfield-type dials. Made to a very high standard.,square
A small horizontal inclining dial with a folding gnomom designed for a latitude of 60° and mounted over a compass. The chapter ring is hinged and engraved with Roman Numerals from III to XII to IX with 15 minute increments. A folding scale calibrated from -5° to 65° and graduated in 1° increments is provided for adjusting the inclination of the chapter ring between 0° and 60° latitude. The compass rose is divided into 8 points marked "NORT, N-E, EST, S-E, SUD, S-O, OUEST, and N-O with a declination scale graduated in 2° increments from -70° to +70°. The latitudes in degrees and minutes for 30 towns are engraved on both sides of the base and the back of the compass bowl.,Brass pointer for setting magnetic declination., Bird beak used as indicator , similar to Butterfield-type dials. Made to a very high standard.,square
Signedon dial plate: P. LE MAIRE / A PARIS
InscribedHambourg 53.42
Florance 43.46
Amsterdam 5(?). 23
Nancy 48.40
Liste 50.40
Toulouse 43.37
Catais 50.57
Arras 50.18
Metz 49.5
Baste 47.40
Paris 48.51
Vienne 48.14
Bruxelles 50.51
Rome 41.54
Madrid 40.26
Londres 51.31
Marseille 43.19
Geneue 46.12
Turin 44.50
Bordeaux 44.50
Strasbourg 48.35
Dyon 47.20
Lyon 45.45
Copenhague 55.41
Curatorial RemarksAppraisal by Brieux, 9/14/84: $4000
FunctionAn inclining dial is similar to a horizontal dial, but its plate—and not its style—is adjusted for latitude. The style and the hour lines are fixed for one latitude, in this example 60°. As the plate is raised for use in latitudes closer to the equator, it remains parallel to the horizontal plane of its original latitude. This type of dial became more common towards the end of the eighteenth century.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from F. & G. Staack, Camden, Maine, August 11, 1958. Donated to CHSI 1985.
Pierre Le Maire II
Date: circa 1730
Accessories: case
Object number: 7241
Hunt
Date: circa 1820
Accessories: Circular red leather and cardboard case.
Object number: 7108
Pierre Le Maire II
Date: 1738-1744
Accessories: case
Object number: 7028
Jacques le Maire
Date: 1738
Accessories: case; plumb bob
Object number: 7416
Thomas & Jonathon Mason
Date: circa 1815
Accessories: Brass box, unlined, with interior fittings to hold dial in place
Object number: 7073
