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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Nuremberg diptych dial

Diptych Dial

Partially verified

This diptych dial is a portable timekeeping instrument crafted from ivory and brass, measuring 82 x 52 x 14 mm. It originates from Nuremberg and is attributed to Hans Troschel. Constructed in the form of a book secured with clasps, the dial consists of two leaves that feature complex engraving and polychrome detailing. The interior of the upper leaf contains a pin gnomon dial calibrated for daylight hours and zodiacal sun declination, accompanied by a vignette depicting a putto with a skull and hourglass, inscribed with a memento mori. The lower leaf houses a compass cavity and a pin gnomon dial indicating Italian and Babylonian hours, with the signature of Hans Troschel present. The exterior features include a blank upper lid and a coat of arms on the lower lid depicting a shield with an eagle and a tower, surmounted by a gryphon crest.

The interior of the ivory diptych dial, showing the upper lid with the memento mori vignette and the lower base with the compass cavity and signature.
The interior of the ivory diptych dial, showing the upper lid with the memento mori vignette and the lower base with the compass cavity and signature. — Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Category
Tool · Nuremberg diptych dial
Maker / attribution
Hans Troschel
Reference
42021
Catalogue / lot identifier
42021
Source-reported date
circa 1600
Source-reported place
Germany

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Exterior Features

The instrument is configured as a rectangular diptych, designed to function like a book. The exterior is constructed from ivory and includes metal clasps to keep the leaves closed when not in use. The upper lid exterior is mostly plain, adorned only by a two-lined black frame.

The exterior of the lower leaf provides the only heraldic information for the object. It features an unidentified coat of arms containing a shield with a base tower and an eagle in the chief, topped by a coroneted helm and a rampant gryphon crest.

Evidence for this section
  • “This dial is in the form of a book with clasps.”
  • “The outer part of the upper leaf is blank except for a black two-lined frame.”
  • “The outer part of the lower leaf has an unidentified coat-of-arms, with a shield (party per fess, in chief an eagle displayed, in base a tower with a bordure compony) and crest (a coroneted helm with mantling, surmounted by a gryphon rampant).”

Dials and Interior Decorations

The interior faces contain two separate pin gnomon dials. The upper leaf includes a dial marked for the length of the day from 8 to 16, showing declination via zodiacal symbols. Below this scale is a decorative vignette, hand-colored in red and green, showing a putto resting an arm on a skull while holding a sandglass. This scene is captioned with the Latin phrase 'HORA FVGIT MORS VENIT'.

The lower leaf provides a compass base, though the internal components are missing. A second dial plate displays Italian hours in black and Babylonian hours in red, with markings for the solstices. A corresponding vignette on this leaf depicts a pelican feeding its young, a symbol associated with the concept of Redemption.

Evidence for this section
  • “The inner part of the upper leaf has a pin gnomon dial (pin missing) with the length of the day marked from 8 to 16”
  • “Below it, the inscription reads 'HORA FVGIT MORS VENIT' ('the time runs away, death comes').”
  • “The inner side of the lower leaf has a compass (needle, ring and glass missing) and a pin gnomon dial”
  • “at the bottom a vignette with a pelican feeding her young (a symbol of the Redemption).”

Signatures and Status

The instrument is signed on the interior of the lower leaf. The signature 'HANS TROSCHEL' is engraved prominently, positioned at the top of the lower dial face near the central compass housing.

Current assessment of the object notes several absences of original components, specifically the compass assembly and the gnomon pin for the upper leaf. The provenance of the coat of arms remains a subject of research, as the family or individual to whom the crest belonged has not been identified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed by Hans Troschel”
  • “At the top of the leaf is the signature 'HANS TROSCHEL [star]'”
  • “The outer part of the lower leaf is emblazoned with a coat of arms, which has not yet been identified.”

Open research questions

  • To which specific individual or family does the heraldic shield on the lower leaf belong?
  • Are the missing compass components likely to be retrieved or reconstructed for exhibition?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Diptych Dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHans Troschel“Signed by Hans Troschel”
Datecirca 1600“circa 1600”
Place of manufactureNuremberg“Nuremberg”
MaterialsIvory and brass“Ivory and brass”
Dimensions82 x 52 x 14 mm“82 x 52 x 14 mm”
Inventory number42021“Inventory number 42021”

Visible details

  • Vignette of a putto with skull and sandglass
  • Engraved zodiac symbols along the sides
  • Missing compass components including needle, ring, and glass
  • Missing pin gnomon from the upper leaf

Research qualifications

  • The identity of the coat-of-arms is currently unknown
  • Originality of the missing compass components cannot be confirmed

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Diptych Dial

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 11bb45048e

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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