An unusual early 18th-Century French gilt-brass horizontal inclining compass sundial, unsigned , the inclining hour plate with Roman numerals III-XII, I-VIII, the folding gnomon with engraved foliate decoration, two small holes, and index to read against the folding latitude arc scale, graduated on one side 0°-70°, with divisions from -5°-82°, the horizontal plate engraved on the upper surface with the latitudes of eighteen continental cities and towns and with a glazed compass box, the base engraved with SUD, OUEST, NORT and EST and twelve further subdivisions, with central engraved rose, blued-steel needle and brass cap, the underside of the compass box with decoratively engraved rose, the underside of the horizontal plate engraved with the latitudes of a further eighteen cities and towns and a short baluster turned foot, in the original fitted, green plush-lined shagreen-covered wooden case with brass catch ( defective ) and two brass hooks and eyes -- 4 3/8in. (11.1cm.) wide See Colour Illustration and Details
An unusual early 18th-Century French gilt-brass horizontal inclining compass sundial, unsigned , the inclining hour plate with Roman numerals III-XII, I-VIII, the folding gnomon with engraved foliate decoration, two small holes, and index to read against the folding latitude arc scale, graduated on one side 0°-70°, with divisions from -5°-82°, the horizontal plate engraved on the upper surface with the latitudes of eighteen continental cities and towns and with a glazed compass box, the base engraved with SUD, OUEST, NORT and EST and twelve further subdivisions, with central engraved rose, blued-steel needle and brass cap, the underside of the compass box with decoratively engraved rose, the underside of the horizontal plate engraved with the latitudes of a further eighteen cities and towns and a short baluster turned foot, in the original fitted, green plush-lined shagreen-covered wooden case with brass catch ( defective ) and two brass hooks and eyes -- 4 3/8in. (11.1cm.) wide See Colour Illustration and Details
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
