Theodolite signed Damerÿ A Bruxelles made around 1610.
POA
Dimensions
diameter 18,8 cm x height 24,9 cm.
Circa
1610
Country of manufacture
Other
Description
Theodolite signed “L. Damerÿ A Bruxelles“.
Dimensions : diameter 18,8 cm x height 24,9 cm.
Provenance: Antiquités Scientifiques Marc-André & Marlyse Perret, Geneva.
In the form of a Greek cross inscribed in a circle, with four fixed pinnules. On this face, three scales (from outside to inside): for degrees (360°), clockwise starting from the right, numbered every 10°; a shadow square, inscribed VMBRA VERSA twice, and a third scale to construct regular polygons: Polÿgons Interns, Polÿgons Externs, and the signature: L. Damerÿ A Bruxelles.
The inner circle, also inscribed: VMBRA VERSA twice, MEDIA twice and VMBRA RESTA (sic) twice. In the four starts of the cross, the four cardinal points: SEPTEMTRIO, ORIENS, MERIDIES and OCCIDENS. The alidade, with two pinnules, attached to the instrument by a nut in the shape of a Greek cross that is typical of the Coignet workshop in Antwerp. The theodolite is mounted on its fixing ball.
Gemma Frisius was the inventor of this type of surveying instrument to measure horizontal and vertical angles. It is described in his Libellum locorum describandorum ratione (1553), which was included in the German edition of Peter Appian’s Cosmographiae (1st ed., 1529). Michel Coignet* refined the method by adding a tangent rule.
There are other simple Damery theodolites in the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, one in the Musées Royaux d’Arts et d’Histoire in Brussels, one in the Roussel Collection, sold in Paris in 1911, and one in the Rosenheim Collection, sold at Sotheby’s (May 1923, current whereabouts unknown).
Made in Bruxelles circa 1610.
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Dealer information
Galerie Delalande Paris
After 37 years in Le Louvre des Antiquaires, the Delalande gallery moved early June 2015 to 35 rue de Lille, 75007 Paris, on the other side of the Seine River in the well known antic shops area "le Carré Rive Gauche".
Our main specialties are, since 1976, Marine and Scientific instruments, Tobacco and Opium objects, Curiosities and Great Canes.
We participate to international antique fairs (TEFAF Maastricht) and are unique partner of the French Maritime Museum.
Eric Delalande is also Administrator of the French Experts National Company (C.N.E.).
Please visit also our two websites, which are frequently updated: www.antiquites-delalande.fr (French) and www.delalande-antiques.com (English). ----------------------------
La Galerie Delalande s'est installée en juin 2015 au 35 rue de Lille (75007 Paris), au coeur de la capitale dans le "Carré Rive Gauche", après 37 années de présence au Louvre des Antiquaires.
Nous nous sommes orientés, depuis 1976, vers plusieurs spécialités : Marine et Sciences, Objets du tabac et de l'Opium, Cannes de collection et Curiosités.
Nous participons à des salons d'envergure internationale (TEFAF Maastricht) et sommes partenaires exclusifs du Musée National de la Marine.
Eric Delalande est également Administrateur de la Compagnie Nationale des Experts (C.N.E.).
N'hésitez pas à visiter nos deux sites internet fréquemment mis à jour : www.antiquites-delalande.fr (Français) and www.delalande-antiques.com (Anglais).
