German Diptych wooden sundial, ca 1760, signed and with French provenance
€360
Circa
1760
Country of manufacture
Germany
Description
A wood diptych-sundial made in Nuremberg around 1760 with Fleur de lys signature in the lineage of Miller family + a crown stamp.
The rectangular woodn small dial consists of two leaves that fold flat.
On the upper leaf avertical dial, on the outer life a compass with the double signature and the horizontal dial.
The dial has an additionnal plumb. It is in perfect condition.
A very similar example is preserved at the British Museum : https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1958-1006-2417.
For a close dial at Greenwich (number 283), the catalogue says : “the fleur-de-lys that appears in the compass bowl might suggest Lienhart Millar as a maker […]. A similar dial in the British Museum has a hole for a plimb bob and a crown as well as fleur-de-lys, in the compass bowl”.
If the Miller family could be a right indication, the true maker seems still unknown.
On the leaf IIB, a French provenance in latine : ““Usibus Andrea Orjollet 1800 phili Andrea Orjollet Stée Joaanis Bourney” ei “Used by André Orjollet in 1800, son of André Orjollet of Saint Jean de Bournay [Isère]”.
Unusual.
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Dealer information
Le Zograscope
Established by Alexandre Piffault in 2014 and based in Paris at 5 rue de Condé, 75006, very close to Odéon, Le Zograscope specializes in antique and rare books in Science, Medicine and Technology, and rare antique instruments in the same fields. We have especially a strong interest in early and continental microscopy, early and special mathematical/drawing instruments, medical and surgical instrument, and rare technology.
Personnal website : https://www.lezograscope.com/
