rule;
compass
- Museum number
- 1871,1115.6
- Description
-
This gilt brass plane table alidade consists of two folding arms hinged to an integrated magnetic compass in the centre.
Both ARMS have a continuous linear scale 0 to 200. A sight is fixed by a screw to the end of each arm and there are additional holes further towards the centre where another pair of sights may have been fixed. Both arms have additional pierced and shaped decorative attachments.
As part of the central HINGE a circular plate fixed to one arm is engraved with a concentric degree scale marked 0° to 90° four times. The four starting points are marked 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D'. The silvered COMPASS BOX with an index is mounted in a rotatable holder in the centre of this scale. It is marked in Latin for the four cardinal points and has an indication for the magnetic deviation 9° E of N. The compass has a detachable lid.
The signature of the maker is inscribed on the underside of the arms close to the compass.
Both sides of the instrument are decorated with stylized stars and flowers as well as scrollwork and strapwork.
- Production date
- 1595-1605 (ca. 1600)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 25 millimetres (closed)
-
Length: 230 millimetres
-
Width: 89 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- This rather unusual folding plane table alidade was made for use in surveying by one of the most prolific instrument makers of the late 16th century.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
2019-2020, 8 Nov-1 Mar, Denmark, Copenhagen, National Museum of Denmark, Germany: Memories of a Nation
2016-2017 7 Oct-9 Jan, Berlin, Martin-Gropius-Bau, The British View: Germany – Memories of a Nation
G35 Germany Exhibition 16 Oct 2014 - 25 Jan 2015
1974 29 Apr-30 Jun, Bath, Holburne of Menstrie Museum, A Girdle Round the Earth
- Condition
- Latest: 2 (Mar 2017)
- Acquisition date
- 1871
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1871,1115.6