Butterfield-type sundial
Date1681-1733
Inventory Number7004
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Nicolas Bion
1656 - 1733
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsgnomon as found: 3.2 × 6.5 × 7.3 cm (1 1/4 × 2 9/16 × 2 7/8 in.)
closed: 1.3 × 6.5 × 7.3 cm (1/2 × 2 9/16 × 2 7/8 in.)
closed: 1.3 × 6.5 × 7.3 cm (1/2 × 2 9/16 × 2 7/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionBrass octagonal dial plate with compass at one end. Bird gnomon for latitudes 40 to 60.
Four hour scales for latitudes 40, 45, 50, and 55 degrees are numbered alternately in Roman and Arabic numbers.
Wind rose with fleur-de-lys at North and 8 points. "NORD, EST, SUD, OUEST" mark cardinal points. French initials mark intermediate points.
The underside of the dial plate is engraved with the names and latitudes (in degrees) of 20 European towns with 6 more on the underside of the compass bowl.
Four hour scales for latitudes 40, 45, 50, and 55 degrees are numbered alternately in Roman and Arabic numbers.
Wind rose with fleur-de-lys at North and 8 points. "NORD, EST, SUD, OUEST" mark cardinal points. French initials mark intermediate points.
The underside of the dial plate is engraved with the names and latitudes (in degrees) of 20 European towns with 6 more on the underside of the compass bowl.
Signedon top: N Bion A Paris
Functiontime-finding : 40-60 degrees
ProvenanceHarrold E. Gillingham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, purchased from M. Tournon, Paris, 1925. David Wheatland purchased from Gillingham, 1949. Donated to CHSI 1985.
Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas Delure
Date: 1695-1736
Accessories: case
Object number: HO81Z-4
François Sautout
Date: 1684-1687
Accessories: case
Object number: 7039
Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas Delure
Date: 1695-1736
Accessories: case
Object number: 7019
Jean-Baptiste-Nicolas Delure
Date: 1695-1736
Accessories: sharkskin case
Object number: 7020
Jean Maulevaut
Date: 1712-1727
Accessories: case
Object number: 7031