Gunter quadrant by Walter Hayes
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1648-90
This Gunter quadrant, accession number M.341-1926, was produced in London between 1648 and 1690. The instrument is a quarter-circle made from sheet brass, which features intricate, engraved projections of star coordinates.
Quadrants of this design were utilized in fields such as astronomy, astrology, and architecture for the calculation of heights and angles. This specific type of device is named after its inventor, Edmund Gunter, who passed away in 1626. The instrument is signed by the maker, Walter Hayes, an engraver based in Moorfields who worked with brass, silver, and wood. The quadrant is presently missing its original plumb-line, which would have been suspended from the apex to function as a vertical reference point during observation and calculation.
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
- Gunter quadrant
- Maker
- Walter Hayes
- Signed
- W Hayes fecit
- Materials
- Brass
- Object type
- Gunter quadrant
- Place recorded
- London, England
- Place of origin
- London, England
- Date of manufacture
- 1648-90
- Maker / attribution
- Walter Hayes
Design
- Visible features
- • Engraved scales for calculation on the obverse face • Pictorial engravings of constellations and figures on the reverse face • Missing plumb-line • Signed W. Hayes fecit on the obverse
- Maker and Attribution
- The instrument is attributed to the London-based engraver Walter Hayes, who was active between 1648 and 1690. Hayes operated a workshop in Moorfields where he worked across a variety of materials including silver, wood, and brass. His work included the production of mathematical and scientific instruments of the type pioneered by Edmund Gunter. Hayes is also notable for his role in the training of Edmund Culpeper. The signature on the quadrant, 'W Hayes fecit', identifies it as a product of Hayes' shop during his period of professional activity in London.
- Utility and Provenance
- Quadrants of the Gunter type were essential tools for practitioners of astronomy, astrology, and architecture during the 17th century. They allowed users to perform complex calculations related to angular measurements and heights by utilizing engraved coordinate projections on the brass plate. The invention of this specific form of quadrant is credited to Edmund Gunter, who developed the system prior to his death in 1626. The quadrant entered the Victoria and Albert Museum collection as part of the Hildburgh Gift. Its accession number, M.341-1926, marks its integration into the museum's holdings. The provenance remains tied to the broader acquisition of scientific instruments associated with this institutional gift.
- Construction and Design
- The Gunter quadrant is constructed as a flat quarter-circle sheet of brass. The surface is heavily worked with detailed engraving, featuring various mathematical scales and coordinate grids necessary for its astronomical and architectural functions. The obverse side displays the primary navigational and calculation scales, while the reverse features decorative and technical engravings including constellations and celestial figures. The device was designed to be used in conjunction with a plumb-line, which would allow the user to establish a vertical reference for taking measurements. The source notes that this specific component is currently missing from the object. Despite this loss, the underlying brass substrate remains intact, showing the precision of the late 17th-century engraving work attributed to Walter Hayes.
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: Plumb-line is explicitly recorded as missing in the source
- Research required: Exact production date within the 1648-1690 range is not provided