Beschreibung:

Obverse The limb carries a degree scale reading to 1° by numbered groups of ten, each group being sub-divided to five. Concentric with this is the doubled scale (1-8/4-12) for the curved hour lines, which occupy the rest of the surface. A transversal arc intersecting these represents the equinoxes and two further, more lightly inscribed, arcs may be the remains of an intention to engrave other of the zodiacal arcs either at the time of making of the instrument, or later. A pair of sighting pinnules is mounted on this face of the instrument between the edge and the bounding radius of the hour diagram. Between them are four small notches on the edge, apparently made deliberately, but probably later. On the face, between the edge carrying the sights and the radial line are some lightly incised divisions that do not coincide with the notches. Like these they were probably made later, perhaps to allow this side of the instrument to be used as a crude rule. A hole for the support, probably a rivet, of a plumb-line which would have carried a bead, appears in the apex of the instrument at the point of intersection of the two radii. Reverse The limb carries a scale of the days of the month (1-31); within this are twelve concentric arcs, one for each month of the year, carrying a table of noon solar altitudes. Above this is a two ring circle containing a scale of dominical letters beginning at A/b for 1396 (a leap year), the letters for the leap-years being marked in the second, inner, ring. The centre of the circle is filled by the engraved figure of a stag lying down wearing a coronet around its throat and with a chain (a white hart lodged gorged with a gold coronet and chained). Running across this is an open scroll with the inscription Tabulae bisexti (table of leap-years). The date is inscribed on a vertical rectangle above the circle, in the apex of the instrument. All the inscriptions and numerals on the instrument are stamped; the scales and figure of the stag are engraved. The corners of the instrument have become somewhat rounded with wear, and the obverse has some indentations and metal-tension lines. The instrument is now contained in a recent, purpose-made, velvet-lined, blue leather case. Sold with this quadrant is a coloured reproduction print of The Wilton Diptych, the original is part of the permanent collection, The National Gallery, London. Weight: 112.4gr. Brass, radius 83mm; length of sides 88mm; thickness variable between 1.9mm and 2.2mm