A rare lacquered brass mechanical equinoctial dial, signed on the silvered hour scale James Lynch DUBLIN, the scale divided III-XII-IX, with revolving alidade terminating with vernier, central latitude arc aperture, folding gnomon, minute dial calibrated in five minute intervals, with turned needle and folding pin-hole sight, pierced cover, the inclining plate with rackwork, the horizontal plate with folding latitude arc divided 20°-90°, with calendar and solar scales, inset compass box with silvered dial and blued needle, the scale divided quadrantly, with bubble level(lacking liquid), twin levelling screws, on three turned feet - 6¼in.(15.9cm)diam.

Details

A rare lacquered brass mechanical equinoctial dial, signed on the silvered hour scale James Lynch DUBLIN, the scale divided III-XII-IX, with revolving alidade terminating with vernier, central latitude arc aperture, folding gnomon, minute dial calibrated in five minute intervals, with turned needle and folding pin-hole sight, pierced cover, the inclining plate with rackwork, the horizontal plate with folding latitude arc divided 20°-90°, with calendar and solar scales, inset compass box with silvered dial and blued needle, the scale divided quadrantly, with bubble level(lacking liquid), twin levelling screws, on three turned feet - 6¼in.(15.9cm)diam.
See Colour illustration

Literature

J.E.Burnett & A.D. Morrison-Low Vulgar & MechaniK The scientific Instrument trade in Ireland 1650-1921 1989

Lot Essay

The Lynch family were active instrument makers in Dublin between 1767-1846. The three successive generations of instrument makers unfortunately included three James's. This dial was probably the work of James II.

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