Museum Collections
Luce Center
Butterfield dial and case
Object Number:
1910.32ab
Date:
1685-1715
Medium:
Silver, glass, wood, leather, velvet
Dimensions:
Case: 1/2 x 3 x 2 5/8 in. (1.3 x 7.6 x 6.7 cm)
Overall: 1/4 x 2 5/8 x 2 1/4 in. (0.6 x 6.7 x 5.7 cm)
Marks:
engraved: on obverse, near center (twice): "40 degre"
engraved: on obverse, on two edges of octagon: "Pour 55"
engraved: on reverse, bottom edge: "N. BION A PARIS"
engraved: on reverse, in concentric circles: "Marseille 43 Varsovie 52 Amsterdam 52 Stra
Description:
Octagonal Butterfield dial with elaborate engraved markings on front and back; circular compass encased in silver, with face visible through glass window in surface of sundial; folding gnomon with shaped edge, intricately detailed engraving, and hinge in the form of a bird; octagonal red leather covered case with beige velvet lining.
Gallery Label:
The numbers engraved adjacent to city names on the reverse of this object indicate their latitude.
Bibliography:
Krohn, Deborah, Peter Miller, and Marybeth De Filippis, eds., "Dutch New York Between East and West: The World of Margrieta van Varick." New York: Bard Graduate Center, New-York Historical Society, New Haven and London: Yale University Press, 2009, p. 139-140
Credit Line:
Gift of the Half Moon Committee of the Hudson-Fulton Exhibition, 1909
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.