Signed (stamped-in) on inlaid ivory plate 'John Bellinger Fecit'. The transversal scale on the 25° arc is from 0°-25° (and from 90°-65°) by 5', reads to 1'. The 60° scale is from 0°-65° by 1°. Radius of the 25° arc is 612 mm, that of the 60° arc is 84 mm. Overall length of the instrument is 635 mm. The back of the 25° arc has scales for the declination and Right Ascension of the sun: back; 5 scales: 1) 'North' - calendar scale; 2) 'South' - calendar scale; 3) 'Decli / nation' 0-23, non-linear; 4) 'Sun's / Place' - degrees in zodiac signs; 5) 'Sun's / Right Assen:' - 180-90 degree scale. Some decoration on end of large arc (scrollwork & leaves), and French lilies stamped in on the frame.
The backstaff is made from a laburnum frame with ivory arcs and no vanes. There is an inlaid ivory plate on the main strut, with brass rivets capped by decorative diamond-shaped brass caps. It is decorated with scrollwork and leaves on the end of the thirty degree arc, and stamped fleurs-de-lys in the frame. Normally these instruments had boxwood scales but the ivory used here indicates a wealthy owner.
Purchased from Mr T. Mackay, London, in 1987.