Large Sundial Signed Giovanni Savoi In Florence, Dated Circa 1765

Exceptional large precision sundial with compass and bubble levels signed Giovanni Savoi (active circa 1766-1768), Florence.

Large quadrant-shaped precision sundial designed for the latitude of Florence in brass, wood, glass and steel. Signed "Gio: Savoi F: in Firenze".

It features a large central compass with blued steel needle, two bubble levels and three set screws ensuring perfect horizontality.

The plate is engraved with an extended hourly and zodiacal scale, distributed between the table and the removable pinnules. It makes it possible to read part of the italic hours (approximately XVI to XX), to locate the Sun in the zodiac, to follow its seasonal course and to determine its height as it passes the meridian.

The quality of execution and precision of the engraving testify to a high-level scientific instrument, intended for surveyors, military engineers, cartographers and architects.

Nota: To our knowledge this is the only surviving example of this model and the fourth known instrument by Giovanni Savoi. This dial is probably the most elaborate work by this maker.

References: To our knowledge, only 4 other instruments by this maker are listed:

1) Special balance on its wooden stand, signed and dated "Joannes Savoi Senensis f.[ecit] Florentiae A.[nno] 1766". Museo Galileo, Florence (inv. 816). This scale comes from the Lorraine collections.

2) Brass equatorial sundial mounted on gimbal. Museo Galileo or Palazzo Pitti. Signed "Gio: Savoi F: in Firenze", undated.

3) Brass equatorial sundial signed "GioI: SAVOI Fe: IN FIRENZE". Undated but with manuscript listing 72 European cities and their latitudes. Length 7.8 cm. Christie's New York sale, April 3, 1985, lot 164.

4) Brass equatorial sundial signed "Gio: Savoi F: in Firenze A: 1768". Diameter 7.7 cm. Christie's New York sale, April 3, 1985, lot 165.

Dimensions : 22 cm x 22 cm; total height with pinnules 17 cm. ; Thickness of central block 2.5 cm; Small side of quadrant 15 cm; large side 18 cm.

Florence (Italy) dated circa 1765.