https://veryrarebrass.com Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:53:51 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1 https://veryrarebrass.com/very-rare-revolutionary-era-french-drafting-instrument-set-bourjaunaux-c-1798/ https://veryrarebrass.com/very-rare-revolutionary-era-french-drafting-instrument-set-bourjaunaux-c-1798/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2026 16:53:51 +0000 https://veryrarebrass.com/very-rare-revolutionary-era-french-drafting-instrument-set-bourjaunaux-c-1798/
















Antiques & Uncommon Treasure. RARE Revolutionary Era French Mathematical Instrument Set, Bourjaunaux, c. 65, between the Pont Neuf and rue de Harlay, Paris. The original printed trade label remains intact inside the lid, firmly situating the firm within the historic scientific instrument quarter of the Île de la Cité. The engraved scales include the early “Mètre, ” placing the ensemble securely after the adoption of the metric system in 1795 and within the transitional decade of Revolutionary and early Consulate France. The engraving style, hinge construction, and proportional scale layout are entirely consistent with high-quality Parisian production of the period. The RARE pieces include Folding plumb square; tripod; brass protractor, also known as a demi-rapporteur; sector, and various plus-plus unique 18th century engraved finest quality tools. This is a true professional engineer’s kit, not a student drawing case. Nothing missing in the fitted and expansive set. The set includes a finely engraved brass sector with proportional scales marked Parties Égales, Polygones, and related geometric divisions; a full beam compass with extension; proportional dividers; bow compasses with pen fittings; large semicircular brass protractor (demi-rapporteur); folding and fixed rules; try-square; and the rare tripod support used to stabilize large-radius compass work. The presence of the tripod is especially telling, as it appears only in advanced architectural and military engineering sets intended for serious field or drafting-room work. The instruments retain original surfaces and deep untouched patina throughout, with consistent engraving style and construction. All components are present and original to the set. RARE tripod During this period, opticians along the Quai de l’Horloge commonly acted as retailers and commissioners, sourcing instruments from specialist brass workshops and assembling them under their shop name. Bourjaunaux is identified as “Opticien, ” reflecting this commercial role. Comparable Revolutionary-era mathematical instruments are preserved in institutional collections including the Musée des Arts et Métiers, est c. 1794, Paris, and the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. What distinguishes this example is its completeness, the survival of the Bourjaunaux trade label, the metric transition engraving, and the inclusion of the tripod beam support – a feature absent from most surviving sets. The instruments retain original surfaces and a deep, undisturbed patina throughout. No components are missing. The set represents the material culture of Enlightenment geometry at the precise moment France formalized metric reform and institutionalized technical education under the École Polytechnique est. A rare and historically compelling Paris scientific instrument set from the golden age of French engineering, embodying both intellectual history and masterful brass craftsmanship. A comparable set, same era, is found in the Carnivalet Museum, Paris. Condition: Exceptional for age and type, with the exception of the original box which flaws we’ve photographed. It has been locked, key lost, then pried open, as you can see. In this type set,’cleaning’ instruments is not advised, and the patina remains. The set is complete, with no missing components, and retains original surfaces and a deep, undisturbed patina throughout. The survival of the Bourjaunaux trade label, the metric transition engraving, and the inclusion of the tripod support distinguish this example from the majority of surviving French drafting cases of the period. From antique French sterling silver, Georgian – Victorian jewelry, Limoges or Sevres or fine porcelain, enamels, tortoise shell boxes, etui, necessaire; portrait miniatures, fine European paintings & tapestries, or Hermes to Rolex and uncommon & thrilling items of museum quality. The array and inventory change often in our dynamic shop. In 1998 we made the move from high profile stores in Beverly Hills, CA and Dallas, TX, to an entirely internet based operation. With physical offices in both Utah and California, but no storefronts any longer, we want to thank our great customers for helping us have the courage to operate entirely online. Recently, we launched our own website with an attractive and easy to navigate style. Easy to find us with a QUICK SEARCH of our BUSINESS NAME. We’re looking forward to getting acquainted with you and to helping you complete (or add to) your’want’ list. It’s our job to tempt you mercilessly, and to treat you so well you’ll just love to come back to shop again. We appreciate our great customers! Thanks for making our’work’ so much fun! We have a great reputation we’ve worked hard to attain, and which we do all we can to keep & improve. Please expect response from us within 24 hours, (normally far less). Rarely, both of us travel together, and that may necessitate a slightly longer response time. You are very important! Our fine inventory is very important. And your ranking of our performance is also very important! We wish to keep our 4.9 – 5 star ratings in all categories. We always insure our items BUT, more importantly, pack them extremely well knowing that most are not replaceable. We always honor a 3-day return on our items, and guarantee them to be as described. Our listing images are always large and clear and portray the items we sell as accurately as possible. You May Also Like. Antique Georgian Shagreen Etui, Drafting Tool Kit, Architect or Cartography Box. Antique Georgian Shagreen Etui, Drafting Tools Kit, Architect, Cartography Box. Antique French Napoleon III Bronze Jewelry Casket, Box, Fab Portrait Miniature. Antique French Gilt Bronze Jewelry Casket, Box, Hand Painted Portrait Miniature. Antique Edwardian 14k Gold, Seed Pearl and 11mm x 8mm Facet-cut Amethyst. 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This is an antique set of drafting tools and precision compass in solid brass with its original case. This is an used item and is in very good conditions. It includes 6 pieces and probably has one piece missing.

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