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19th Century English Chrome Plated Brass Cross-Legged Reduction Compass

$655.32
£486.07
€550
CA$897.35
A$997.68
CHF 522.22
MX$12,236.19
NOK 6,649.24
SEK 6,277.67
DKK 4,186.37
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About the Item

Cross-legged reduction compass, of chrome plated brass and steel, English manufacture from the end of the 19th century. Fixed or mobile center, whose opposite points form simple relationships of 1: 2, 1: 3 or other. It is used to enlarge or reduce a drawing; it is equipped with two arms each with a slot, in which a movable pin held by a screw slides. The points are inserted in both ends of the arms: if the pin is placed in the position of the scale of the lines marked with the number 3, this means that the points of the compass are widened in the ratio of 1 to 3. Good contidition. Measure cm 20 x 1,6x 1. Inches 7.8 x 0.65 x 0.5 Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London; our gift box is free. The reduction compass was invented by the Swiss manufacturer of scientific instruments Jost Burgi (1552-1632) in the early 17th century; almost at the same time Galileo was working on his proportional compass. This instrument derives from the compass called by the Romans "whole and half", of which an ancient example was found in the ruins of the Roman city of Pompei.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 0.5 in (1.27 cm)Width: 0.65 in (1.66 cm)Depth: 7.8 in (19.82 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1890
  • Condition:
  • Seller Location:
    Milan, IT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1020227723192

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