Charles Bloud Folding Universal Travelling Sundial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1670
This diptych universal travelling sundial is attributed by the source to French maker Charles Bloud of Dieppe, dating to circa 1670. Fashioned from mottled tortoiseshell and silver, the rectangular folding instrument incorporates multiple scales, an inset compass, and astronomical calculating discs.
The inside lid features a poppy-engraved border, an edge latitude scale reading 0° to 80°, and a central silver volvelle displaying calendar calibrations alongside moon phases. The lower plate houses a glass-covered compass with printed geographic latitude data, enclosed by an elliptical silver hour scale. Additional sunflower engravings and silver dials adorn the exterior covers.
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
- Type
- Universal diptych sundial
- Weight
- 135 g
- Dimensions
- 68 x 80 x 16 mm
- Case Materials
- Tortoiseshell, silver
- Place recorded
- France
- Volvelle Display
- Calendar and moon phases
- Maker / attribution
- Charles Bloud
- Latitude Scale Range
- 0° to 80°
Design
- Visible features
- • Rectangular folding case constructed with semi-translucent, figured tortoiseshell plates. • Central circular multi-ring silver volvelle engraved with calendar months and astrological divisions on the inner lid. • Recessed round compass with glass crystal and needle in the base leaf, flanked by silver hour numerals. • Gilt or engraved foliate corner motifs bordering the inner plates.
- Identity and Attribution
- This instrument is identified as a folding Norman tortoiseshell universal travelling sundial. It is attributed to the French maker Charles Bloud of Dieppe, with production dated to circa 1670. Charles Bloud was active as a sundial maker in Dieppe around 1660. The source notes that Bloud was born in Dieppe around 1640 and that other examples of his work are held in the collections of the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon in Dresden and the German horological museum in Furtwangen.
- Dial and Mechanism Configuration
- The instrument incorporates a central circular equinoctial dial on the top, labeled 1-12 twice, and a central polar dial labeled 8-12-4, set with a central metal rivet. The interior lid features a silver volvelle displaying a calendar and moon phases, accompanied by an engraved latitude scale on the right side reading 0° to 80°. The base plate houses a compass with a printed paper insert listing countries and their latitudes, flanked by an elliptical silver scale engraved VII-XII-V.
- Physical Construction and Ornamentation
- The instrument is constructed from tortoiseshell and silver. The top plate is engraved at the corners with sunflower motifs, while the bottom is similarly engraved with sunflower motifs and a central silver disc containing a perpetual calendar. The inside of the lid features a poppy-flower border around the edges. The base plate is also engraved with poppies and includes an elliptical silver hour scale.
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: Exterior top and bottom plates described in the text are not fully visible in the open perspective photo.
- Research required: Import of tortoiseshell is subject to strict customs and CITES prohibitions outside the EU.