Late 17th Century Silver Horizontal 'Butterfield Sundial’.

A Late 17th Century Silver Horizontal 'Butterfield Sundial’. This large solid silver horizontal pocket sundial was made in France by Michael Butterfield (1635 – 1724) and signed ‘Butterfield a Paris’, with the ‘Fleur-de-Lis’ hallmarks on both sides. This is a sophisticated sundial Instrument consisting of a large octagonal plate (measures 8 cm, 3 ¼ inches) on which the shadow is cast through an adjustable quadrant (adjusted from 40 to 60 latitude degrees), carried on a folding hinged gnomon and supported by a form of a small bird. The dial chapter includes four sets of engraved scales alternating in Roman and Arabic numeral made for latitudes of 43º, 46º, 49º and 52º. The dial incorporates a recessed compass with glass cover and a fine blued steel hand. Engraved on the reverse side are the names and latitudes of 30 European cities. The dial comes in the original leather covered traveling case with green felt, satin interior, silver hooks and eyes.