Lot #: 48700
This item is no longer available. Estimated value: $7500 - $8000.
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A Michael Butterfield brass universal equinoctial ring dail. |
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Estimated value: $7500 - $8000 |
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Description
Very fine brass astronomical equinoctial ring with two brass circles with engraved foliage decoration, signed "Butterfield A Paris", on the hanger ring.
The meridian ring is engraved with a latitude scale 90-0-90 degrees, the reverse with a scale for determining solar altitude and zenith distance, the quadrennials ring with obverse engraved with an hour scale in Roman numerals, the central bridge with pin-hole sliding over the calendar and zodiac scales, 100 mm diam.
Michael Butterfield (1635-1724), was a goldsmith and metalworker; scientific instrument maker. He is known especially for the 'Butterfield' type of sundial. He was the official supplier of instruments to the French royal observatory and the inventor of a simple microscope. His origin is unknown; he probably arrived in France c.1663 and in Paris in 1677 with the workshop 'Aux Armes d'Angleterre', Faubourg St-Germain, rue Neuve-des-Fosses.
Reference: A Butterfield ring dial of similar design but smaller, is illustrated in Sundial at Greenwich, Hester Highton, OUP 2001, page 200, catalogue no. 186.
The meridian ring is engraved with a latitude scale 90-0-90 degrees, the reverse with a scale for determining solar altitude and zenith distance, the quadrennials ring with obverse engraved with an hour scale in Roman numerals, the central bridge with pin-hole sliding over the calendar and zodiac scales, 100 mm diam.
This is a relatively large example of the classic pendant ring dial, useable anywhere on earth and without the need for a compass. Only the date and one's latitude are needed to determine the apparent solar time and even the North. the latitude can be determined by using the quadrennial degree scale at the backside for measuring the solar meridian altitude.
Nocturnal or noctules, as they were sometimes called, are devices for telling the time of night. Their operation is based on the fact that the stars, while remaining fixed relative to one another, appear to rotate around the North star (Polaris)It is, of course, the earth that is rotating and the Polaris remains fixed because it lies along the earth´s axis of rotation.
As the other stars appear to rotate, their position at any moment indicates the time. Sometimes called “horologium nocturnum” or “Nocturlabe” are related to the astrolabe and the sundials.
The mention of a dedicated instrument for its measurement was not found before the Middle Ages. The earlier image presenting the use of a nocturnal is in a manuscript dating from the 12th century.
Raymond Lull repeatedly described the use os a “Sphera horarum noctis”. With Martin Cortés de Albacar´s book “Arte de Navegar” published in 1551 the name and the instrument gained a larger popularity.
Timekeeping was very important to navigators at sea. Precise time was needed to use tide tables to enter harbors safely and also to regulate work shifts aboard.. Thus, the navigators could tell the time at night if the weather was clear.
The problem was that in foul weather, when the sky was obscured, they had no way of knowing the exact time except by running the sand-glasses. By the middle of the 18th century, more accurate clocks became available, known as chronometers and the nocturnals fell out of use. Nocturnals are really simple analog computers. The nocturnal is simpler to use than other instruments requiring mathematical tables and trigonometry.
This nocturnal is designed to work with three constellations: Ursa Major, Ursa Minor and Cassiopeia.
Reference: A Butterfield ring dial of similar design but smaller, is illustrated in Sundial at Greenwich, Hester Highton, OUP 2001, page 200, catalogue no. 186.
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In accordance with the EU Consumer Rights Directive and habitually reside in the European Union you have the right to cancel the contract for the purchase of a lot, without giving any reason.
The cancellation period will expire 14 calendar days from the day after the date on which you or a third party (other than the carrier and indicated by you) acquires, physical possession of the lot. To exercise the right to cancel you must inform Paulus Swaen Europe bv, which is offering to sell the lot either as an agent for the seller or as the owner of the lot, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, or e-mail (amsterdam@swaen.com).
To meet the cancellation deadline, it is sufficient for you to send your communication concerning your exercise of the right to cancel before the cancellation period has expired.