PORTABLE EQUINOXIAL SUNDIAL
Jean-Baptiste DELURE (active in Paris from 1695 to 1736)
Paris, France, circa 1700-1720
Silver and glass
H.: 3.2; L.: 6; Long. : 6.9 cm
(restoration at the foot)

Portable equinoctial sundial of octagonal shape, in silver with plate engraved with three hourly scales, equipped with a compass, a folding gnomon engraved with floral motifs accompanied by an avian figure cut out on both sides.
On the reverse, the compass bowl is marked with the latitudes of twenty-six major European cities, such as "Paris 49 Rennes 48 Vienna 48 Venice 45 Rome 42 Toulouse 43 Truin 45".
Signed “Delure à Paris” and hallmarked with the small fleur-de-lys (1697-1704).
Original shaped shagreen box.

Jean-Baptiste Delure, active in Paris from 1695 to 1736, was a student of Nicolas Bion (1655-1733), engineer to the king.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.: 4640