A fine 17th-Century silver Butterfield-type pocket sundial,

Details

A fine 17th-Century silver Butterfield-type pocket sundial,
signed on the base Salomon Chesnon A Blois, the octagonal silver dial incised with central flower motif, with pierced and incised gilt gnomon and incised compass rose, in plush-lined leather-covered case (needle locked) -- 1¾in. (4.4cm.) long

See Colour Plate

Lot Essay

Salomon Chesnon of Blois (1607-83), son of Salomon Chesnon (1572-1639), also a clockmaker of Blois. A similar dial by Chesnon is described in the Whipple ... Catalogue 6, part 1, section 2, item 6.

cf. David J. Bryden The Whipple Museum ... Catalogue 6 Sundials and Related Instruments (Cambridge, 1988)
H.L & H.L. Tardy Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français (Paris, n.d.)

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