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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Italian quadrant

Wood Horary Quadrant and Sundial by Miniato Pitti

Partially verified

This rectangular wooden quadrant, dated 1558 and signed by Miniato Pitti in Florence, measures 130 x 188 x 16 mm. It functions on one side as an horary quadrant designed for 43 degrees latitude, and on the other as a Regiomontanus-type altitude sundial capable of functioning at latitudes up to 65 degrees. The construction features round ivory feet on the corners of the main faces and includes two wooden pinhole sights along the top edge. The quadrant side is decorated with lacquer and features an altitude scale, a shadow square, and circular scales for a zodiac-calendar and golden numbers/epacts. The sundial side incorporates an articulated brass arm, a latitude scale, and a solar declination scale. It is inscribed with Latin mottos and a quotation from Ovid. The object was produced in Florence during the 16th century.

Horary quadrant face of the instrument showing the central grid, zodiacal circular scales, and peripheral inscriptions.
Horary quadrant face of the instrument showing the central grid, zodiacal circular scales, and peripheral inscriptions. — 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 · Italian quadrant
Maker / attribution
Miniato Pitti
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
44865
Source-reported date
1558
Source-reported place
Italy

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

Instrument Construction and Layout

The object is a rectangular wooden block featuring two main faces, with two wooden pinhole sights positioned on the top edge to facilitate observation. The instrument incorporates round ivory feet at the corners of the main faces, although the documentation notes that two of these feet are currently missing.

The horary quadrant face is decorated with lacquer and contains an intricate arrangement of scales. These include an altitude scale numbered 0 to 90, a shadow square, and two circular scales. One circle represents a zodiacal calendar labeled 'ROTA GRADI SOLSOLARIS', while the other displays golden numbers and epacts. A Latin quotation from Ovid is inscribed around the rim.

Evidence for this section
  • “Rectangular wooden block with round ivory feet on the corner of the two main faces (two feet missing) and two wooden pinhole sights on the top edge.”
  • “The quadrant side is decorated, coloured and lacquered”
  • “Around the rim is a quotation from Ovid, 'TEMPORA LABVNTVR TACITISQVE SENESCIMVS ANNIS ET FVGIVNT FRENO NON REMORANTE DIES'”

Function and Scales

It utilizes solar altitude lines to determine time, with ante-meridian lines originally marked in red and post-meridian lines in black.

The reverse side serves as a Regiomontanus-type altitude sundial, which allows for use across a broader range of latitudes up to 65 degrees. This face includes an articulated brass arm with a pivot and rivets, used in conjunction with a plumb-line—currently missing—to interact with a triangular grid of horizontal latitude lines and a zodiacal scale. This side provides readings for common or planetary hours.

Evidence for this section
  • “the quadrant is designed for one latitude (43? for Florence ) and tells the time in Italian hours”
  • “the dial works in any latitude up to 65 degrees and tells the time in common or planetary hours”
  • “An articulated shaped brass arm with one screw pivot and two rivet joints moves the suspension point of a plumb-line (missing) across a triangular grid patters of horizontal lines”

Signatures and Inscriptions

The object features multiple inscriptions identifying the maker, Miniato Pitti, and the place of manufacture, Florence. The quadrant side includes the signature 'MINIAS PITT? FLO? FACI?' and the motto 'SOLI DEO GLORIA'. There is also explicit guidance regarding the color-coding of the hour lines on the quadrant face.

The sundial side carries a further signature and a description of the instrument's capabilities. Documentation notes an apparent contradiction in the dates inscribed, where the sundial is signed with the year 1553, despite 1558 appearing elsewhere on the instrument.

Evidence for this section
  • “Beneath this advice is the signature: 'MINIAS PITT? FLO? FACI?'”
  • “The sundial is marked and signed: 'HOROLOGIUM SOLARE RECTILINEVM QDADRANGVLARE ? VNIVERSO ORBI DESERVIENS ? PER MINI ? PITTVM MON? OLI? FABREFAC? M D L”

Open research questions

  • What is the definitive explanation for the conflicting 1553 and 1558 dates found on the instrument?
  • How does the original red and black coloring of the quadrant lines compare to current preservation standards for such wooden scientific instruments?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Wood Horary Quadrant and Sundial by Miniato Pitti
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMiniato Pitti“Signed by Miniato Pitti”
Date1558“Dated 1558; Florence”
Dimensions130 x 188 x 16 mm“130 x 188 x 16 mm”
Quadrant latitude43 degrees 30 minutes“'QVADRANS HORARVM ? AD LAT GRAD ? XLIII ? MIN ? XXX ? M D L VIII'”
Sundial typeRegiomontanus-type“On the other side is a Regiomontanus-type altitude sundial”
InscriptionLatin quotation from Ovid“'TEMPORA LABVNTVR TACITISQVE SENESCIMVS ANNIS ET FVGIVNT FRENO NON REMORANTE DIES'”

Visible details

  • Two wooden pinhole sights mounted on the top edge
  • Round ivory feet at corners of the faces
  • Includes an articulated shaped brass arm with screw and rivet joints
  • Quadrants and scales are etched directly onto the wooden surface

Research qualifications

  • Plumb-line is missing
  • Two ivory feet are missing
  • Source notes a possible discrepancy with the date 1553 indicated in the inscription versus 1558 elsewhere

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

Consulted source

Quadrant

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 1d0f43d166

Terms in this record

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

Other italian quadrant records