Charles CHEVALIER (1804-1859) - Lot 121

Charles CHEVALIER (1804-1859) Large brass "canon de midi" (or "mortier de midi") on an engraved marble plaque. The bronze cannon is a recoiling mortar fixed by two arms. Two arches allow a magnifying glass to be attached and the system to be adjusted according to the months of the year. A stopper stops the gun at the end of its stroke. The plate features a sundial and a gnomon at 21 degrees (Paris latitude). Signed "CHARLES CHEVALIER PALAIS ROYAL 158 PARIS". circa 1850-1860 Diam. 33 cm - Height 22.5 cm (accidents, restorations) Note: Vincent Jacques Louis Chevalier worked with his son Charles Chevalier until 1830, when he set up his own business. Based at 163, then 158, Palais Royal, the engineer's reputation quickly grew. As early as 1826, catalogs such as the Bazar Parisien featured Chevalier's "canons de midi" (also known as "sundials with cannons" or "meridian cannons"). Our example appears in the 1860 catalog. Provenance: Victor RASQUIN Collection