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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · French astronomical compendium

Astronomical Compendium by Philippe Danfrie

Partially verified

This astronomical compendium, measuring 97 x 97 mm, is crafted from gilt brass and silver. Signed by Philippe Danfrie, the instrument features an octagonal body with a hinged top plate, a suspension ring, and extensive engraving. It functions as a multipurpose tool incorporating a nocturnal, a universal equinoctial sundial, a compass, sights, a circle, and a shadow square. The front face contains the nocturnal, which includes calendar and zodiac scales, alongside a silver hour ring for both common and Italian hours. The reverse of the cover lists latitudes for 32 European cities and bears the signature 'Philipus Danfrie fecit'. The main body houses the compass and a latitude scale for setting the equinoctial dial. The back cover plate contains an alidade with folding pin sights and a shadow square. Decorative elements include floral motifs, a wheatsheaf, and an engraved coat of arms.

The gilt brass astronomical compendium showing the interior latitude table and the compass face.
The gilt brass astronomical compendium showing the interior latitude table and the compass face. — Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Category
Tool · French astronomical compendium
Maker / attribution
Philippe Danfrie
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
44194
Source-reported date
circa 1590
Source-reported place
France

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Body and Nocturnal Assembly

The instrument consists of a gilt brass octagonal body, equipped with a hinged top plate and a swivelling suspension ring. The exterior is covered in intricate engraving, while the interior of the cover displays a table of latitudes for 32 cities ranging from Edinburgh to Granada, headed 'ELEVATIO POLI ARC'. The maker’s signature, 'Philipus Danfrie fecit', is engraved beneath this list.

The front face is dominated by a nocturnal, featuring scales for the zodiac and calendar months. These scales are decorated with specific symbols, including a flower for June and a wheatsheaf for August. The nocturnal mechanism utilizes a silver hour ring, divided into 'Horae Comunes' and 'Horae Italice', with index pointers designed for tactile use.

Evidence for this section
  • “The compendium has a gilt brass octagonal body with a hinged top plate and a swivelling suspension ring.”
  • “The maker's signature appears under the table: 'Philipus Danfrie fecit'.”

Dialling and Compass Mechanisms

A universal equinoctial dial is integrated into the instrument, requiring the use of the latitude scale on the base and the hinged support for the dial plate. A circular compass, 49 mm in diameter, is situated on the same face, marked with cardinal points in Latin and lines representing eight principal directions. The surrounding scale is graduated in degrees.

The dial function relies on the alignment of the semi-circular gnomon with the sun. Despite the complexity of the design, the ordinary hour scale currently reads approximately 8 o'clock at midday, and the Italian hour scale appears fixed, which complicates necessary seasonal adjustments.

Evidence for this section
  • “The recessed bowl (diameter 49 mm) has decorated lines for 8 principal directions”
  • “the scale of ordinary equal hours is not correctly oriented”

Back Plate and Additional Instrumentation

The reverse cover features an alidade equipped with two folding pin sights, utilized in conjunction with a circular degree scale for observations. This plate is slightly recessed to allow the alidade to sit flush with the body when closed.

The interior portion of the back plate includes a shadow square divided into 'VMBRA RECTA' and 'VMBRA VERSA'. Furthermore, an engraved roundel featuring a coat of arms is present. The right quadrant contains a diagram for 'Horae inaequales', though the lack of graduation on the alidade suggests that the instrument required external information regarding the sun's maximum altitude for effective operation.

Evidence for this section
  • “The alidade carries two folding pin sights.”
  • “Inside the lower semicircle is a shadow square marked 'VMBRA RECTA' and 'VMBRA VERSA'”

Open research questions

  • What is the identity of the gentleman or nobleman associated with the engraved coat of arms?
  • Were the functional inconsistencies, such as the incorrectly oriented hour scale, present at the time of manufacture or introduced by subsequent modifications?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Astronomical Compendium by Philippe Danfrie
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerPhilippe Danfrie“Signed by Philippe Danfrie”
Datecirca 1590“circa 1590”
CountryFrench“French”
Dimensions97 x 97 mm“97 x 97 mm”
MaterialsGilt brass and silver“Gilt brass and silver”
Inventory number44194“Inventory number 44194”
SignaturePhilipus Danfrie fecit“Philipus Danfrie fecit”

Visible details

  • Octagonal gilt brass body with hinged lid.
  • Engraved table of 32 European city latitudes.
  • Integrated magnetic compass within the base.
  • Folding pin sights and index arm.

Research qualifications

  • The ordinary equal hours scale is incorrectly oriented.
  • The Italian hours scale appears to be fixed, complicating its seasonal adjustment.
  • The alidade lacks graduation, hindering the use of the unequal hours diagram.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Astronomical Compendium

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 548b4a4542

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other french astronomical compendium records