Butterfield-type sundial
Datecirca 1710
Inventory Number7082
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Nicolas Bion
1656 - 1733
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsgnomon as found: 3.3 × 5.2 × 6.4 cm (1 5/16 × 2 1/16 × 2 1/2 in.)
closed: 1.1 × 5.2 × 6.4 cm (7/16 × 2 1/16 × 2 1/2 in.)
closed: 1.1 × 5.2 × 6.4 cm (7/16 × 2 1/16 × 2 1/2 in.)
Material
DescriptionSilver octagonal dial plate with compass at one end. Bird gnomon for latitudes 40 to 60.
Three hour scales for latitudes 40, 45, 49 degrees are numbered: 40 and 45 in Arabic, 49 in Roman.
Wind rose with 4 cardinal points: "NORT, EST, SVD, OVEST." Compass needle is old but not of the typical Butterfield style. Decoration between gnomon and compass is a village scene.
The underside of the dial plate is engraved with the names and latitudes (in degrees) of 22 European towns. The underside of the compass bowl reads "Sans eclat et sans bruict."
Engraved features differ from traditional Butterfield style.
Three hour scales for latitudes 40, 45, 49 degrees are numbered: 40 and 45 in Arabic, 49 in Roman.
Wind rose with 4 cardinal points: "NORT, EST, SVD, OVEST." Compass needle is old but not of the typical Butterfield style. Decoration between gnomon and compass is a village scene.
The underside of the dial plate is engraved with the names and latitudes (in degrees) of 22 European towns. The underside of the compass bowl reads "Sans eclat et sans bruict."
Engraved features differ from traditional Butterfield style.
Signedon underside: N-BION-A-PARIS
Inscribedon back of compass above a picture of a cherub: Sans eclat et sans bruict
initials scratched into the back of the baseplate to the right of the compass bowl: FP
Curatorial RemarksDescription in file for 82 does not match this sundial which is marked 7082. The dial identified in the paper file as 82 was sent to Alain Brieux on 3/11/84.
Functiontime-finding : 40-60 degrees
ProvenanceHarold Clarence Ernst, MD, Boston, c. 1900-1922 (no. 82); Mrs. Ellen L. Ernst (his widow), Jamaica Plain, MA, 1922; on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1923-1938; gift to Harvard College Observatory, 1938; transfer to CHSI, 1964.
Michael Butterfield
Date: 1680-1681
Accessories: case
Object number: 7011
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
Michael Butterfield
Date: 1684-1687
Accessories: case
Object number: 7472