A French silver 'Butterfield Dial' pocket sundial and compass
Michael Butterfield, Paris circa 1700, discharge mark small article, signed 'Butterfield, Paris'
Elongated octagonal shape, adjustable bird gnomon, engraved with various European cities and their latitude adjustment, scrolling foliate decoration, a compass attached, length 6cm, weight 0.8oz.
Footnotes:
Michael Butterfield (1635-1724) was a British clockmaker who worked in Paris in the late 17th and early 18th century. He was primarily known for producing sundials for use by Grand Tour travellers, enabling them to determine the time in the towns they visited. He opened a shop selling precision instruments in 1677 in rue Neuve-des-Fosses, in Saint Germain, where his sundial became fashionable. From this location he sold all types of sundials, dominating the market with his small travelling sundial featuring an adjustable bird gnonom and three chapter rings. This type of dial became the height of fashion and became known as the 'Butterfield Dial'. In addition, he worked at the Royal Court and was appointed engineer by the King Louis XIV.