Museo Galileo
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Virtual Museum
Reduction compass
    • Setting:
      Room VI
    • Maker:
      unknown
    • Date:
      17th cent.
    • Materials:
      brass
    • Dimensions:
      length 210 mm
    • Inventory:
      3686
    • Reduction compass (Inv. 3686)

Reduction compass with a moving center for reducing measurements by a factor ranging from 2 to 15. This is done by shifting the central hinge to one of the several points marked on the shorter section of the legs, numbered in sequence from 1/2 to 1/15. The instrument was used mainly to reproduce drawings. Provenance: Medici collections.