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638 - Astronomical compendium by Nicolas Forfait
Starting price
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Estimation
€6,000 - 8,000Sale fees
Astronomical compendium by Nicolas Forfait Engraved brass, gilt, clear glass, blued compass needle. Rectangular, hinged case. On the outer lid, a disc surrounded by concentric scales for an equatorial sundial and a nocturnal, with the Latin names of the signs of the zodiac and the names of the months; in the spandrels, finely engraved winged angel heads personifying the winds. The interior contains a compass and a table listing the latitudes of 24 European cities in two columns. Engraved between the hinges: ‘Nicolas Forfaict’. Loss and minor chip to the inner left side of the lid (pole pointer?), thread replaced. Height 1.4, width 7.1, depth 8 cm. Paris, late 16th / early 17th C. Little is known about Nicolas Forfait. He was the son of the royal compass maker Augustin Forfaict and was sworn in as a clockmaker in 1606. He became known for his finely crafted small clocks and watches. One of his watches, with alarm and calendar, is now in the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, object no. 17.190.1607. Literature For the clockmaker, see Tardy, Dictionnaire des horlogers français, Paris, 3rd ed., 1972, p. 233.
Auction details
Arts and crafts, silver, sculptures, furniture, ceramics, and porcelainAuction house
Lempertz +(49)2.21.92.57.290 kunstgewerbe@lempertz.comDelivery is optional. You can use the carrier of your choice. The stated price does not include the lot price or the auction house fees.