Graphometer (detail)

Add to album

A graphometer is a surveying instrument used for measuring angles. This is a detail of a brass graphometer made in 1774, probably by Louis-Pierre-Florimond Lennel, a scientific instrument maker based in Paris.

The detail shows the inscription on the alidade. It reads 'Lennel Eleve et Successeur de Mr Canivet a la Sphere A Paris 1774'.

A pupil of the noted maker, Jacques Canivet, Lennel succeeded his master in 1774. By 1781 he described himself as 'Imperieur du Roi et de la Marine', and was in charge of instrumentation at the Paris Observatory. He had died by 1784.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-002-060-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1973.71
• Date: 1774
  
• Material: Leather case
  Graphometer / case
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Graphometer / case
  
• Subject: 5. CARTOGRAPHY, Surveying (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: E. Lennel, Paris (Maker)
  
• Where: France, Paris
  
• Event:
• Description: Graphometer, in a leather case, signed by E. Lennel of Paris, 1774
  
• References:
  • Bennett, J.A. The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987. p 87 
  • For Lennel, see Daumas, M. Scientific Instruments of the 17th and 18th Centuries and their Makers. London: 1972, pp 262 & 332, and Augarde, Jean-Dominique, 'La fabrication des instruments scientifiques du XVIIIe siecle et la corporation des fondeurs' in B 
  • Wynter, H. & Turner, A., Scientific Instruments. London: 1973, p 158 
• Translations:
• Related Records: