14th-Century English Brass Quadrant
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
14th century
This 14th-century brass quadrant, held by the British Museum, is an unsigned example of a 'quadrans vetus'. Measuring 160 mm in radius, the instrument features intricate astronomical markings, including lines for unequal hours and a shadow square on its front face.
A notable design element is the sliding scale along the curved edge, which contains the months and zodiacal signs, allowing for utility across various latitudes. The reverse side of the instrument displays dual circular scales representing the zodiac and the months, accompanied by a central disc engraved with a later shadow scale. An alidade featuring two sighting vanes is present, bearing the Latin inscription 'LINEA FIDUTIA'.
While the plumb bob is considered a later replacement, the instrument’s Gothic lettering and overall design suggest an English origin from the 1300s, aligning with stylistic features documented in contemporary manuscripts of the period.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 14th century
- Type
- English quadrant
- Origin
- English
- Radius
- 160 mm
- Place recorded
- England
- Registration Number
- MLA 1972,1-4.1
- Equinox dates (front)
- 12 March and 15 September
- Equinox dates (reverse)
- 12 March and 18 September
Design
- Visible features
- • Curved edge altitude scale marked 0 to 90 • Movable slider with month and zodiacal notations • Plumb line suspended from the apex • Engraved 'LINEA FIDUTIA' on the rotating alidade
- Design and Astronomical Utility
- The front of the quadrant is structured with lines calibrated for unequal hours, integrated with a base 12 shadow square that is marked in intervals of four. An altitude scale follows the curved edge of the device, ranging from 0 to 90 and subdivided into units of 5 and 1. To enhance versatility, a sliding scale containing Latin month names and their corresponding zodiacal signs moves along the edge in a groove, permitting calculations across different latitudes. The months are mapped with their respective day counts, including a notable notation of 30 days for February. The reverse side offers further astronomical functionality with two concentric circular scales. The outermost scale lists the signs of the zodiac, while an eccentric inner scale records the months of the year. Each scale provides precise divisions to aid in solar and calendar tracking. A central disc was added later, featuring a unique shadow scale, upon which rotates an alidade fitted with two sighting vanes and the Latin phrase 'LINEA FIDUTIA'. This addition significantly alters the original intended use of the central area of the reverse face.
- Condition and Component Integrity
- The instrument exhibits signs of historical maintenance and modification. The plumb bob, currently suspended from the apex of the quadrant, is identified as a later replacement rather than an original component. Further examination reveals that the reverse side incorporates later modifications, specifically the addition of the central disc shadow scale and the alidade inscription. These alterations suggest the quadrant remained in active use long after its manufacture, receiving updates to its features as observational needs changed. The brass remains the primary material throughout the construction, maintaining the original geometry of the 160 mm radius despite these secondary additions to the instrument's surface. The instrument was purchased in 1972 and is described and illustrated in F. A. B. Ward, A Catalogue of European Scientific Instruments in the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities of the British Museum (London, 1981), p. 55 (with plate XX).
- Dating and Historical Attribution
- Attribution to the 14th century is primarily supported by the paleographic evidence of the inscriptions. The use of Gothic-style letters and specific numeral forms is consistent with early English instrumentation from this timeframe. Historians have observed that these stylistic traits correlate closely with instruments and manuscripts from the period, most notably a manuscript attributed to John of Montpellier dating prior to 1350. While the device is unsigned, its design configuration as a 'quadrans vetus' reinforces its connection to medieval scientific practices. The instrument is listed in the British Museum's records under the accession number MLA 1972,1-4.1 and has been formally documented in F. A. B. Ward's 1981 catalogue. These records affirm its provenance as a significant, albeit undated, specimen within the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The plumb bob is described as a probable later replacement
- Research required: The central shadow scale and 'LINEA FIDUTIA' inscription are noted as later additions