A FRENCH SILVER BUTTERFIELD PATTERN PORTABLE SUNDIALPIERRE LE MAIRE, PARIS, LATE 17th CENTURYThe elongated octagonal plate with four hour scales for 52, 49, 46 and 43 degrees annotated 4-12-8, IIII-XI-I-VIII, 4-12-7 and V-XI-I-VII divided into quarter-hours, the centre with foliate engraved panel within band signed P. Le Maire, A Paris, a la Pierre d' aiman, with glazed compass divided for sixteen points opposing hinged bird engraved adjustable gnomon calibrated in degrees for elevation to the outer edge, the underside engraved with latitudes for twenty-six cities including Rome 41.54, Rennes 48, Madrit 40.26, Londres 51.31, Naples 41.5 and Paris 48.5.The plate 7cm (2.75ins) long, 6cm (2.375ins) wide.Pierre Le Maire is recorded in Baillie, G.H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as becoming a Maitre of the clockmakers' guild in 1675. He worked from St. Germain, Paris alongside his son Jean, however as a Protestant he was imprisoned in 1687 and his workshop/stock sold-on. Soon afterwards it is believed that he moved to Amsterdam.This type of portable pocket sundial was devised by Michael Butterfield an English instrument maker who settled in Paris in around 1685. By the end of the century Butterfield's workshop was located on 'Le Quay de L'Horloge' which would have positioned him right within the Parisian clockmaking community.