Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Compasses
Unsigned
16th century; Italian
Brass and steel; 300 mm in length

This brass instrument with steel points is contained in a cylindrical metal case and provided with steel accessories such as straight and curved points, pencil-holders, paper cutters and so on. Each required accessory could be inserted into the brass legs and held by a screw. In its various permutations, this instrument could serve as compasses, as dividers, as a caliper and for marking up drawings.

The instrument is known as the 'Michelangelo' compasses, because it was found amongst the possessions of Michelangelo Buonarrotti.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 1357

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