Charles BLOUD, Dieppe - Late 17th century - Lot 20

Charles BLOUD, Dieppe - Late 17th century Diptych sundial in ivory and silver-plated brass. Hinged case with two equatorial and polar dials, solar time converter and lunar calendar, manual perpetual calendar with month and date indications and key city names (Venice, Milan, Lion, La Rochelle, Dole, Tours, Angers, London...), rotating disks for setting solar and lunar indications. The two graduated dials with indications in Roman or Arabic numerals are set in a finely chased ivory frame with stylized motifs. The upper part features a central hole for the gnomon. Signature on the back of the round silver-plated brass plate indicating the perpetual calendar: "Fait et Invt par Charles Bloud Dieppe". Missing protective glass and compass needle. Dim. 4 x 4.6 x 1.7 cm. Gross weight 36.3 grs Charles Bloud (1653-1699) was active in Dieppe in the second half of the 17th century. Still living in Dieppe in 1686, he is known to have developed numerous types of sundials on ivory bases, such as this one. Measuring time and its declinations with solar time is still the oldest method of calculation, already in use in ancient times. Expert: Nicolas CONREUR Elephant spp (Elephantidae spp) ivory specimen in compliance with the AM of May 4, 2017 allowing the commercial use of ancient Elephantidae ivory. A CITES re-export permit will be required for export out of the EU, at the expense of the future buyer. In its box missing CIC : FR2509502815-K expertise and CIC Please ask for the condition reports before the sale: they are not included in the files.