Object Details
- Butterfield, Michael
- Description
- The arms of this brass instrument have plain ends, but the hinge is decorated with a flower. One side has a double scale of chords that runs from 10 to 180; a double scale for "les Solides" that runs from 1 to 60; and a double scale for the specific weights of five metals, marked with their symbols. The outer edge of both arms has a scale that runs from 1/4 to 60 and is labeled Diamettre [sic] et Poids des Boulets. The sector is marked: Butterfield (/) AParis.
- On the other side, the outer edge has a scale that runs from 1/4 to 60 and is labeled Calibre des Pieces. There are double scales of equal parts, running from 10 to 200; for "les plans," running from 10 to 60; and for inscribed regular polygons, from 12 sides to three sides. Compare to MA.321676 and 1985.0580.04.
- Michael Butterfield (1635–1724) was an English instrument maker who worked in France from around 1677 until his death. He was best known for his distinctive sundials.
- References: Maya Hambly, Drawing Instruments, 1580–1980 (London: Sotheby's Publications, 1988), 24, 134–135; Anthony Turner, "Sector," in Instruments of Science: An Historical Encyclopedia, ed. Robert Bud and Deborah Jean Warner (New York and London: Garland Publishing, 1998), 526–528.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- 1677-1724
- ID Number
- MA.321677
- catalog number
- 321677
- accession number
- 245711
- Object Name
- sector
- Physical Description
- brass (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: .4 cm x 17.3 cm x 3 cm; 5/32 in x 6 13/16 in x 1 3/16 in
- place made
- France: Île-de-France, Paris
- See more items in
- Medicine and Science: Mathematics
- Sectors
- Science & Mathematics
- National Museum of American History
- Subject
- Mathematics
- Sectors
- Rule, Calculating
- Record ID
- nmah_1214769
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-9748-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
