Accession No

1015

Brief Description

protractor, attributed to Charles Whitwell, English, circa 1592

Origin

England; London [based on attributed maker]

Maker

Whitwell, Charles [attributed]

Class

drawing

Earliest Date

1592

Latest Date

1592

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass)

Dimensions

diameter 100mm

Special Collection

Provenance

On loan from Trinity College, University of Cambridge from 1951.

Inscription

‘SP’ (reverse)

Description Notes

Brass disc engraved on obverse with three concentric scales. Outermost is a degree scale divided clockwise [0] - 360˚, numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 5˚ and to 1˚. Middle is a degree scale divided anticlockwise [0] - 360˚, numbered by 10˚. Innermost is marked for the 32 points of the compass, with cardinal points indicated by initials. Below the first division to the East of North is engraved the letter I, which indicates the declination of the magnetic needle at the end of the 16th century. The sector between W and SW has been cut away.

This instrument is attributed, along with Wh 1006, to Charles Whitwell due to the engraving. It has been dated circa 1592 because of the connection with Wh 1006, which carries the identical monogram ‘SP' and is inscribed 1592 (see G. Turner Elizabethan Instrument Makers).

Complete.

References

Events