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148
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Horizontal brass sundial with single latitude by Nicolas Bio…
See original version (French)
148
-
Horizontal brass sundial with single latitude by Nicolas Bio…
See original version (French)
Estimate €700 - €800
Voluntary lot
Description
Horizontal brass sundial with single latitude by Nicolas Bion, Paris, circa 1680.
Brass, steel and glass; 6.5x5.2 cm.
Early octagonal horizontal brass sundial with single latitude bearing the large early signature "N. Bion à Paris".
The plate is engraved with a single hour scale III-XII and I-VIII. The single-latitude gnomon is for the latitude of Paris, i.e. 49 degrees. It is superbly engraved with acanthus leaves. The back of the compass is also beautifully engraved with large foliage.
The plate is supported by three small brass feet, an unusual feature.
The deep engraving is decorated and highlighted by niello coating, i.e. the application of niello, a black metallic sulphide that brings out the engraved metal. The compass indicates the four cardinal points: "North", "East", "West" and "South".
The magnetic declination, the style of the dial, Bion's large signature, the spelling of the cardinal points and the niello technique date the instrument from Nicolas Bion's earliest production, around 1680-1690.
For a similar single-latitude dial by Bion, see Delalande, Cadrans Solaires, pages 168-169, H18.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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