Silver Sundial By Butterfield

"Michael Butterfield, Silver Sundial, Paris, 17th Century." Dating from the last quarter of the 17th century, made by the famous English Watchmaker Michael Butterfield in Paris.

Octagonal in shape, it is finely engraved silver. The plate is engraved with four time scales for latitudes: 43°, 46°, 49° and 52°. The center is engraved with a decoration of scrolls, the adjustable and folding gnomon with the bird is mounted on a hinge and retained under the plate by a spring engraved with scrolls. The dry cell compass indicates North marked with a fleur-de-lys with a blued steel needle. Some oxydation is visible on the base of the compass.
The back of the plate and the compass are engraved with the names of 29 European cities and the words "Premier Cadran".
Michael Butterfield (1635-1724) was an English watchmaker established in Paris around 1663. Engineer to Louis XIV for mathematical instruments, he invented different types of instruments including this sundial with compass which is designated as a “Butterfield dial”.
This example is particularly interesting because it is very early, the hallmark allows it to be dated to the period 1684 -. 1687. It is one of the first productions of Michael Butterfield and escaped the infamous Louis XIV fonts of 1689.
The dial bears a hallmark on the back of the plate, near the compass bowl: A fleur-de-lis: hallmark. For the smallest works of the city of Paris for the period 1684 - 1687 Superb scientific instrument dating from the end of the 17th century, in remarkable condition for an object from this period.
Artist: Michael Butterfield Period: 17th century Style: Louis XIV - Regency Condition: Excellent