
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in


Lot 5
BOXWOOD NOCTURNAL WITH RARE STAR VOLVELLE.
21 September 2015, 13:00 EDT
New YorkSold for US$6,875 inc. premium
Looking for a similar item?
Our History of Science & Technology specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot


Client Services (New York)

Client Services (San Francisco)

Client Services (Los Angeles)
BOXWOOD NOCTURNAL WITH RARE STAR VOLVELLE.
English, fourth quarter 17th century, 11 3/4" overall. Obverse marked "Both Bears" and mounted with a later plain long pointer arm, plus a twice-12 hour volvelle with indices for "GB" and "LB," calendar/Zodiacal scale divided by days of the months as well as days of the Zodiacal sign. Reverse side with calendar, hour and degree scales, plus rare star volvelle with index, labelled for numerous circumpolar stars such as "Dog Thigh," "Buls Eie," and "Wails Tail."
Most nocturnals relied on the observations of the Big and Little Bear constellations to determine the time at night; this particular nocturnal also permitted observation of any of the other bright stars surrounding the North Pole for calculation of time, latitude, Moons' age, tide, times, etc. Nocturnals with star volvelles are extremely rare, and seem to have been only made during the fourth quarter of the seventeenth century.
See Sturmy The Mariner's Magazine.... London: Anne Godbid for William Fisher, 1679, pp 64-67 (illustration and description of a similar construction).
Most nocturnals relied on the observations of the Big and Little Bear constellations to determine the time at night; this particular nocturnal also permitted observation of any of the other bright stars surrounding the North Pole for calculation of time, latitude, Moons' age, tide, times, etc. Nocturnals with star volvelles are extremely rare, and seem to have been only made during the fourth quarter of the seventeenth century.
See Sturmy The Mariner's Magazine.... London: Anne Godbid for William Fisher, 1679, pp 64-67 (illustration and description of a similar construction).





![[Americana.]](/_next/image.jpg?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg2.bonhams.com%2Fimage%3Fsrc%3DImages%252Flive%252F2006-09%252F22%252F7332891-4-1.JPG%26width%3D650&w=2400&q=75)
