Quadrant

Technical characteristics

Type

German quadrant

Origin

German

Diameter

390 mm

Material

Wood and gilt copper

Inscribed name

Ildephonsus Mahler

Place recorded

Germany

Attributed date

Mid 16th century

Design

Visible features

• The instrument features a rim engraved with a scale of degrees. • A central square plate is riveted to the wood base and decorated with various scales and floral scrolls. • Two coats-of-arms are engraved on the plates, one including a mitre and crozier. • Multiple linear and degree scales are present across the surface, including diagonal lines.

Scales and Engravings

The central plate, which is riveted to the base, is engraved with a variety of mathematical scales arranged in a quadrant configuration. The borders contain a degree scale numbered from 0 to 100. The limb of the quadrant features the inscriptions 'VMBRA VERSA' and 'VMBRA RECTA', accompanied by floral scroll decorations. Moving toward the center, there are several non-linear and equal scales, along with radial lines engraved at 7.5-degree intervals. Specific markings include dotted lines corresponding to 42 and 48 degrees on the limb. The outer edge of the square plate contains a series of diagonal lines and specific alphabetical markings at the corners. Additionally, the outer copper plates provide specific linear unit scales with varying divisions, allowing for precise mathematical operations as intended by the quadrant's design.

Construction and Materials

The instrument is constructed using a base made of wood, covered by copper plates which are nailed into position. It measures 390 mm in diameter. The outer rim is engraved with a degree scale, which is subdivided and numbered from 5 to 360, with the 45-degree mark situated at the top adjacent to a compartment intended for a compass, which is currently missing. A steel square is used to secure the round part of the instrument to its wooden base. The surface of the quadrant is layered with four copper plates containing various mathematical and observational tools. These include linear unit scales, a multiplication table identified as 'TABVLA PYTHAGORICA', and two engraved coats-of-arms, one of which displays a mitre and crozier alongside the initials 'B A Z O'. A central square copper plate is riveted to the center of the wood base.

Inscription and Provenance

An ink inscription is located underneath the central copper plate. It identifies Ildephonsus Mahler, a Benedictine monk, and includes the date 1759, alongside reference to an individual named Dominico Beck. Because this date is considered late for the instrument's construction, it is suggested that the central wooden part may be a replacement or that the inscription was added to the device at a later time. The instrument was purchased in 1897 and is now part of the collection of the British Museum in London. It is documented in the publication 'A Catalogue of European Scientific Instruments in the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities of the British Museum' by F. A. B. Ward, serving as record number 286.

Identification

Inventory number

MLA 1897, 1-12.1

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.