"18th Sun Dial Signed Butter Field In Paris"
Octagonal brass sundial signed by Butterfield in Paris. On the front face of the plate in which is embedded a compass, is positioned the folding and tilting “bird” axis style. The tilt of the axis style allows it to be adjusted for a given latitude. The bird's beak serving as a landmark on a blade engraved in degrees of latitude. The shadow cast by the axis style makes it possible to read the time on three hour crowns engraved with Roman and Arabic numerals. Each crown of the hours corresponds to a given latitude. Also engraved on the front face of the plate: “”. The latitudes of the cities are engraved on the back of the plate and on the bottom of the compass tank. Circa 1740. paulazzopardi.com