A long measuring rod with adjustable pointed metal ends, used when distances between sculptural reference points exceed the practical reach of a compass.
Randa is a wooden rod fitted at both ends with pointed metal blades held by clamps. It is used during roughing and modeling to measure distances between reference points when the span is too large for an ordinary compass.
Etymology
Italian workshop term.
Sculptor Notes
Large sculpture requires large-scale measuring instruments. The randa extends the logic of the compass without sacrificing point-to-point comparison.
References
https://levocidelmarmo.sns.it/scheda_oggetti_relazione.php?denom=randa&id=52