Theodolite

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A theodolite is a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. This brass example was made in Paris around 1720 by Nicholas Bion, scientific instrument maker to the French king.

The plain theodolite has four fixed sight vanes, a pivoted alidade with two sight vanes and a central compass marked with 16 points of the compass. The ball and socket joint is for mounting on a staff underneath so the instrument can be used vertically.

Nicholas Bion wrote 'Traite de la construction et des principaux usages des instrumens de mathematique', an important text published in Paris in 1709 and translated into several languages.

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-080-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1987.51
• Date: Around 1720
  c. 1720
  
• Material: Brass / birch case. Inscription: N. Bion / AParis
  Theodolite, plain / case
  
• Dimensions: 240 mm x 240 mm x 200 mm / 245 mm x 245 mm x 145 mm
  
• What: Theodolite, plain / case
  
• Subject:
• Who: Nicholas Bion, France (Maker)
  
• Where: France, Paris
  
• Event:
• Description: Plain theodolite of brass, in a birch case, signed by Nicholas Bion, Paris, c. 1720
  
• References:
  • For Bion's life and work, see Daumas, M., Scientific Instruments of the 17th and 18th Centuries and their Makers. London: 1972. pp 79-81 
• Translations:
• Related Records: