Backstaff or Davis Quadrant. William Clarke

Made by William Clarke near Union Stairs for John Quince 1736. No vanes. Scale on 60° arc for correction of sun’s semi-diameter 63 cm

Type of object:

Cross-staff and Backstaff

Time period:

Britain rules the waves + France

Place:

London

Date:

1736

Maker / Author:

William Clarke near Union Stairs

Publisher / Printer:

idem

Dimensions:

63.5 cm

Material:

lignum vitæ with boxwood scales and maker's plate signed

Graduation:

Inscription:

Made by William Clarke near Union Stairs for John Quince 1736

Provenance:

Charles Miller

References:

Sextants of Greenwich

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Description

A DAVIS BACK-STAFF BY WILLIAM CLARKE, 1736
in lignum vitæ with boxwood scales and maker's plate signed and inscribed Made by William Clarke near Union Stairs for John Quince 1736, the arcs divided over one side, the lesser to 60º and the greater to 25º with punched Fleur de Lys and Tudor Rose decoration -- 25in. (63.5cm.) wide