French compendia, quadrants and nocturnals
A collection of French instruments from the 16th and 17th centuries, some with unusual features.
The back of [3], presumably made or commisioned as a gift, is shown for its affirmation of love. There is a quadrant on the front.
Although [6] is small, it has a number of functions: a nocturnal for telling the time at night from the position of the stars, a volvelle for predicting the age or phase of the moon, and on the side shown two types of horary quadrant, a shadow square and a degree quadrant, all squeezed onto a small disc with their lines overlapping.
The dial and nocturnal [8] has also a volvelle which advises the owner which days in the year are favourable ('les jours hereux') and which unfavourable ('les jours perileux').
Other narratives:
Related Objects:
- Inventory No. 50593, "Astronomical Compendium, French?, c. 1600" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 26657, "Horary Quadrant, French?, 1567" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 46962, "Horary Quadrant, French?, 17th or 18th Century" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 34440, "Astronomical Compendium, French, c.1630" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 48962, "Peripole Nocturnal, French, 1671" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 55203, "Nocturnal and Horary Quadrant, French, 1543" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 45450, "Nocturnal and Sundial, French, c. 1600" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 52632, "Nocturnal and Vertical Disc Dial, French, c.1600" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 35373, "Diptych Dial, by Charles Bloud, Dieppe, c. 1660" [1924-0/part], Bloud, Charles
- Inventory No. 73110, "Diptych Dial, French, c. 1628" [1924-0/part]
- Inventory No. 67063, "Diptych Dial, by R. F., French, c. 1620" [1924-0/part], 'F.R.'