French anonymous instruments

#5 French pillar compass, mid 19th century.

An unsigned French brass pillar compass with pencil, ink and point inserts hidden in the hollow octogonal legs. Image 3 above shows the legs with pencil and point inserts, but the extensions can be used as well for drawing larger circles. The legs have graduations in Paris, Rhin and Millimetre measures. Case 108x46x20mm. Some French manufacturers' catalogues illustrating drawing instruments [Bossange 1845 and Lerebours et Secretan 1862] refer to the folding (or turn-in) pocket compass as a "compas russe". However, no proof could be found of a Russian provenance and the compass is more likely to have been of English origin.

Historical notes on the origin and development of the pillar compass. 

In an advertisement dated 30 March 1797, William Jones lists the additions made to Adams' Geometrical and Graphical Essays, including a "description of a new pair of pocket compasses containing the ink and pencil points in its two legs" (fig. V, plate 1). The illustration depicts an early version of what is currently referred to as a pillar compass, featuring hollow octagonal legs that accommodate reversible inserts. It seems likely that the points would have been protected by a removable sheath, which is not shown in the illustration. In the 1823 edition of his work, Adams presents an early illustration (fig. Z, plate 1) of the more conventional form of the pillar compass [Hambly, p. 72]. The resemblance to a pillar (or pair of pillars) is likely the origin of the name. The earliest known reference to the term "pillar compass" is found in a catalogue created by Francis West and located at the end of his book, A Familiar Treatise on the Human Eye, third edition published in 1829. I am grateful to Alan Williams and Robert Pilla for providing the historical information.

#4 French drawing set, 3rd quarter 19th century.

Small compact 3 tier French drawing set in a polished wooden case 150x75x43mm. The middle tray has a folding ruler in the form of a sector. The lower tray has water colours and 2 ceramic palettes. Unsigned, hard to date accurately, probably 3rd quarter 19th century.

#2 French drawing set, 18th century.

Tooled leather covered case lined with natural chamois, lacking are a pair of dividers and compasses. Lower 2 objects are goat's foot ruling pen fittings, one on the left is a dotting pen. In the lid is a wooden parallel rule, a protractor with diagonal scales, and small flat dividers. 

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Feldhaus 1959, pp.87-88.

#1 French drawing set, mid 18th century.

Set of brass instruments most likely French ca. 1750. An almost identical set is illustrated on page 68 of Antique Tools and Instruments from the Nessi collection 2004. The case is covered with tooled leather and inside lined with chamois. Dividers, ruling pen and pen inserts have hand-cut paddle wing nuts, except the pencil insert which has a soldered on washer nut. Two little dishes for mixing water-colours or ink and the clip holding the ruler in the lid were originally missing and now replaced by new fabrications.