F2442-2

Butterfield dial Long Caption: Butterfield dial for latitudes 40°-55° north. The first scale is marked 'pour 49 degrez' (for 49 degrees). The second and third scales are octagonal. The space between the first and second hour scales is enamelled in black and the dial has a central circular decorative flower. There are two legs to help support the dial-plate. The compass has cardinal points named in French. North is offset approximately 2° west of north to allow for magnetic variation and the covering glass plate is cracked. The gnomon is adjustable for latitudes 40°-55°. The reverse side of the dial-plate is occupied by a table of latitudes in two columns: for example 'Paris 49', 'Rome 42', 'Amsterdam 52' and 'Marseille 43'. The use of black enamelling between the hour scales on Butterfield dials is comparatively rare. A number of towns with latitudes of 50° or more are included, despite the fact that the highest hour scale is for 49° North. On the reverse side, the dial is signed 'P SEVIN A PARIS'. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Georges Bernard Collection Object: AST0318 Artist: Pierre Sevin Date: late 17th century Medium: silver; glass; brass; enamel Size: 8 mm x 22 mm x 67 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.