Folding Compass and Sundial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1641 - ca. 1674
This portable folding compass and sundial was constructed from ivory with steel fittings. The object was produced in Marseilles, France, by the maker Henri Robert, active circa 1650.
The exterior of the ivory case is decorated with engraved black ink, featuring a dial, calendar, and the coat of arms of the Marquis de Montigny, who served as governor of the castle of Dieppe between 1641 and 1674. The interior assembly includes a steel dial, a circular calendar pointer, and an integrated magnetic compass with a glass cover and needle. A table of latitudes is present on the reverse, executed on coloured paper.
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
- ca. 1641 - ca. 1674
- Type
- Portable sundial
- Maker
- Henri, Robert
- Materials
- ivory, steel, paper
- Dimensions
- 10.2 cm x 8.5 cm x 1 cm
- Provenance
- Gift of Mrs. Ellen Hearn
- Place recorded
- France
- Place of origin
- Marseilles, France
- Maker / attribution
- Henri Robert
Design
- Visible features
- • Engraved armorial bearings on the exterior • Steel circular calendar dial with numeric grid • Integrated compass with needle and glass cover • Hinged folding construction with clasp
- Provenance and History
- The sundial was donated to the collection in 1923 by Mrs. Ellen Hearn. It is recorded as part of the Alfred Williams Hearn gift, a collection which included various other objects transferred to the museum at the same time. The inclusion of the coat of arms for the Marquis de Montigny links the object to an individual who was a governor of the castle of Dieppe during the seventeenth century.
- Construction and Design
- The instrument is composed of an ivory housing with engraved black ink details. The folding design allows for the protection of the internal mechanisms when not in use. It is secured by small metal clasps. The exterior face displays a calendar layout surrounding the armorial bearings of the Marquis de Montigny. The interior reveals a circular steel plate engraved with a calendar and a central compass, which is protected by a glass lens. A table of latitudes on coloured paper is located on the reverse side of the device.
- Signature and Attribution
- The instrument bears an inscription identifying the maker as Henri Robert of Marseilles. The piece is attributed to a period between 1641 and 1674, corresponding to the tenure of the Marquis de Montigny as governor of the castle of Dieppe. Historical analysis suggests an overlap in stylistic influence. While the object is signed as a product of Marseilles, researchers have identified stylistic traits associated with sundial production in Dieppe. Trade documentation from 1645 confirms links between the two regions.
Identification
- Accession number
- A.53-1923
- 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: Uncertainty remains regarding the stylistic link to Dieppe workshops versus the Marseilles signature
- Research required: The exact date of production remains an approximation within the 1641-1674 range