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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Italian nocturnal and quadrant

Nocturnal and Quadrant by Eufrosino della Volpaia

Partially verified

This 1520 brass nocturnal and quadrant was created by the instrument-maker Eufrosino della Volpaia in Florence. The instrument consists of a circular disc joined to a handle that terminates in a smaller disc. The nocturnal face features five concentric rings and a central sighting hole. The second face includes an hour diagram for an Italian hours dial, a 90-degree scale, and a shadow square. The instrument is calibrated for latitudes 43 and 44 degrees and bears the dedication 'AD MARCELLVM M'. The handle contains three rings marked with months, zodiacal letters, and numerical scales. The instrument was part of a collection belonging to Professor Pietri Marchi before being presented to the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence.

Front view of the nocturnal and quadrant showing the hour diagram, meridian line, and signature of Eufrosino della Volpaia.
Front view of the nocturnal and quadrant showing the hour diagram, meridian line, and signature of Eufrosino della Volpaia. — Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Category
Tool · Italian nocturnal and quadrant
Maker / attribution
Eufrosino della Volpaia
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
3264
Source-reported date
1520
Source-reported place
Florence

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

Construction and Design

The instrument is composed of a circular disc integrated with a straight handle that ends in a smaller, circular terminal. The primary nocturnal face is marked 'OROLOGIVM NOCTVRNVM' at its center and is divided into five concentric rings. The notched edge contains 24 divisions further subdivided into six equal parts, which align with an internal month scale. The center houses a sighting hole framed by a border of diagonal strokes.

The second face features an hour diagram for an Italian hours dial calibrated for latitudes 43 and 44 degrees, with a meridian line and a calendar scale. A shadow square of twelve is positioned above the diagram, divided into four numbered groups. The handle is engraved with three rings, incorporating a month scale, initial letters of zodiac signs, and a series of twelve numerical entries.

Evidence for this section
  • “Circular disc with notched edge made in one piece with the straight handle ending in a circle.”
  • “The nocturnal face, marked at the centre 'OROLOGIVM NOCTVRNVM', is entirely filled by five concentric rings.”
  • “The second face of the instrument carries at the centre the hour diagram for an Italian hours dial (9 to 23) for latitudes 43 and 44?”

Signatures and Inscriptions

The instrument bears the signature of Eufrosino della Volpaia and is dated 1520. It includes a dedication to an individual identified as 'Ad Marcellum M.', about whom no biographical information is provided in the source records.

Additional inscriptions are present, including the Latin designation for the instrument's function, 'QUADRANS AD LATITVDINEM GRAD{UUM} XXXXIII et XXXXIIII', and labels for the meridian line and afternoon lines. A lunar table is inscribed within the disc on the arm, indicating specific dates read against a solar cycle year number.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed by Eufrosino della Volpaia”
  • “dedicated 'Ad Marcellum M.', a person about whom we know nothing.”
  • “beneath this the inscription 'QUADRANS AD LATITVDINEM GRAD{UUM} XXXXIII et XXXXIIII'”

Provenance and Condition

The instrument is reported as incomplete by the museum documentation. It was formerly part of a collection of twelve scientific instruments belonging to Professor Pietri Marchi.

The object was subsequently presented to the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence by the heirs of Professor Marchi’s daughter. It is identified by the museum inventory number 3264.

Evidence for this section
  • “The instrument, which is incomplete, is made up of a disc”
  • “Provenance: one of a group of twelve instruments which belonged to Professor Pietri Marchi and were presented to the museum by the heirs of his daughter.”
  • “Inventory number: 3264”

Open research questions

  • What components of the instrument are considered missing to classify it as 'incomplete'?
  • Is there any archival evidence identifying the 'Marcellum M.' to whom the instrument was dedicated?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Nocturnal and Quadrant by Eufrosino della Volpaia
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerEufrosino della Volpaia“Signed by Eufrosino della Volpaia”
Date1520“Dated 1520”
Place of originFlorence“Florence”
Length187 mm“187 mm in length”
Inventory number3264“Inventory number: 3264”
Dedicated toMarcellum M.“dedicated 'Ad Marcellum M.'”

Visible details

  • The instrument is constructed from brass.
  • The nocturnal face features concentric rings and a central sighting hole with a decorative border.
  • The hour diagram on the second face displays Italian hours from 9 to 23.

Research qualifications

  • The instrument is described as incomplete.
  • The identity of the individual referred to as 'Marcellum M.' in the dedication remains unknown.

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

Consulted source

Nocturnal And Quadrant

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 1211bfbbc3

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