Butterfield dial

Butterfield dial for latitudes 40°-60° North. Standard three-scale dial (see related terms) except for the following details:-

The compass has cardinal points marked and named by French initials and it is offset 7° West of North to allow for magnetic variation. The reverse side of the dial-plate is filled with a table of latitudes in two columns, comprising places such as: 'Vienne 49', 'Calais 51' and 'Dijon 47'. The dial has a black leather octagonal case with green velvet lining and a push-button clasp.

A typical Butterfield dial, this instrument is signed 'CHAPOTOT A PARIS' and engraved with the same list of towns that appear on AST0297. Perhaps this was a standard set of places used by Chapotot on his dials. A very similar dial is in the National Technical Museum, Prague.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.

Object Details

ID: AST0317
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Butterfield dial
Display location: Display - ROG
Creator: Chapotot
Date made: Late 17th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 8 x 55 x 64 mm
Parts: Butterfield dial
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