Beschreibung:

A FINE AND RARE ENGLISH WILLIAM III/QUEEN ANNE SILVER BUTTERFIELD PATTERN SUNDIAL
JOHN ROWLEY, LONDON, CIRCA 1700
The plate with three hour scales for 45, 51 and 55 degrees annotated 4-12-8, IIII-XII-VIII, 4-12-8 with the centre Roman scale divided into half and quarter hours as well as ten-minute increments, the centre with foliate engraved infill incorporating stylised interloping scrolls possibly forming an elaborate monogram, overlaid with a hinged bird engraved adjustable gnomon calibrated in degrees for elevation to the outer edge, opposing a glazed compass divided for N, E, S and W only and with gold inlaid N, S annotations to the blued steel pointer, the underside engraved with latitudes for twelve cities in two panels, the left-hand Rome 41.04, Hague 52.1, Amsterdam 52.03, Venice 45.18 and Vienna 48.22 opposing London 51.30, York 53.50, Cambridg 52.17, Bristol 51.30, Exeter 50.40 and Chester 53.17 to the right, the lower edge signed in a curve John Rowley Fecit; in original silk velvet lined ray skin protective case.
The instrument 8.5cm (3.625ins) long, 6.7cm (2.625ins) wide, 4cm (1.625ins) approx. high with gnomon raised; the case 9cm (3.5ins) wide, 7.5cm (3ins) deep, 2cm (0.75ins) high closed.
 
Provenance:
The Leonard Fuller Collection.
 
John Rowley is recorded in Clifton, Gloria Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851 as a mathematical instrument maker and book engraver working from 'Behind the Exchange' Threadneedle Street, London in 1691, then from 'The Globe under St. Dunstan's Church' Fleet Street 1702-15 and at Johnson's Court, Fleet Street 1710-27; Clifton noted that the latter address may well have been his living residence. Amongst Rowley's apprentices was Thomas Wright (in 1707) who then went on to become his successor and one of the most important makers of scientific instrument makers of the eighteenth century. Another apprentice was John Coggs who went on to become particularly well known for his sundials, most notably his universal ring dials.
 
This design of portable pocket sundial was devised by Michael Butterfield, an English Instrument maker who settled in Paris around 1685. Although this type of dial became popular with other French makers (most notably those who worked nearby to Butterfield's workshop on 'Le Quay de L'Horloge') very few appear to have been made by English makers in London; hence the present lot is a particularly rare example.
 
Condition Report:
The instrument appears to be in fine original condition with the only notable fault being a small shallow chip to the inside edge of the compass glass. The case is intact and in sound original condition. The right-hand eye for the securing latch is missing and there is a small loss to the wooden structure to the interior of the lid at this point. There is also a small section of the delicate raised lip (for locating/closing against the inner edge of the lid) to the lower section missing. The lid has a slight warp/distortion, and the velvet lining has overall fading/wear. The underside has some later pins towards one edge no doubt to secure lifting skin covering at some point. Otherwise, faults are limited to minor age-related wear.
 
Condition Report Disclaimer