Exceptional large precision sundial with compass and bubble levels, signed Giovanni Savoi (active around 1766–1768), Florence.
Large precision sundial in the form of a quadrant, designed for the latitude of Florence, in brass, wood, glass and steel. Signed “Gio : Savoi F : in Firenze”.
It is fitted with a large central compass with a blued steel needle, two bubble levels and three adjusting screws ensuring perfect horizontality.
The plate is engraved with an extended hour and zodiac scale, divided between the main plate and the removable pinnules. It allows the reading of part of the Italian hours (about XVI to XX), locating the Sun in the zodiac, following its seasonal course and determining its height at the moment of its meridian passage.
The quality of execution and the precision of the engraving show a high-level scientific instrument, intended for surveyors, military engineers, cartographers and architects.
Note: To our knowledge, this is the only recorded example of this model and the fourth known instrument by Giovanni Savoi. This sundial probably represents the most elaborate work made by this maker.
References: To our knowledge, only four other instruments by this maker are recorded:
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 balance comes from the Lorraine collections.
2)Brass equatorial sundial mounted on a 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 its manuscript listing 72 European cities and their latitudes. Length 7.8 cm. Sale at Christie's, New York, 3 April 1985, lot 164.
4)Brass equatorial sundial signed “Gio : Savoi F : in Firenze A : 1768”. Diameter 7.7 cm. Sale at Christie's, New York, 3 April 1985, lot 165.
Dimensions: 22 × 22 cm; total height with pinnules of 17 cm; thickness of the central block of 2,5 cm; small side of the quadrant of 15 cm; large side of 18 cm.
Florence (Italy) made circa 1765.
Price and additional photos on request.
Also discover many more sundials and equinoxial rings in the dedicated section of our French website : « Cadrans solaires en argent et laiton » and « Cadrans solaires en ivoire ».
