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Compasses
Unsigned
16th century; Italian
Brass and steel; 300 mm in length

This brass instrument with steel points is contained in a cylindrical metal case and provided with steel accessories such as straight and curved points, pencil-holders, paper cutters and so on. Each required accessory could be inserted into the brass legs and held by a screw. In its various permutations, this instrument could serve as compasses, as dividers, as a caliper and for marking up drawings.

The instrument is known as the 'Michelangelo' compasses, because it was found amongst the possessions of Michelangelo Buonarrotti.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 1357

© Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze. All rights reserved. Information and images provided here may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the museum.

Basic URL: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=55801

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