POSSIBLY BY CHRISTIAEN CHRISTIAENSEN, CIRCA 1650

Details

An ivory astronomical barrel compendium
Possibly by Christiaen Christiaensen, circa 1650
decorated with inset discs of amber and floral engraving, the lid with starburst pattern unscrews to reveal a deep storage space, the middle section unscrews to reveal a brass lunar volvelle, punched 1-30 and 1-12 twice, the inner disc with index arm and 1-12 twice with viewing window through to a peach-coloured mica[?] disc, the lower section with compass dial, the hour ring 4-12-8 with the maker's mark of a crown, a hand-coloured thirty-two-point paper compass rose on pivot, the lower lid, decorated with heart-shaped, teardrop, star and circular holes, unscrews to reveal a shallow storage space.
1¾in. (4.5cm.) maximum diameter

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The maker's mark bears a resemblance to Inv. No. 7588 at Harvard, which is attributed to Christiaen Christiaensen c. 1650. Higton Sundials at Greenwich (Oxford: 2002) describes similar barrel dials as German.

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