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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Sundial · Nuremberg

Diptych sundial

Verified

This sundial comprises two engraved ivory boards and presents numerous indications on its four sides. It is kept open by means of a hand-shaped gilded brass support on the side, with the cover parallel to the equator.

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH IV-100
Object type
Sundial
Place of production
Nuremberg
Dating
1631
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Ivoire
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions min/max: 141 x 160 mm; dimensions: 109 x 160 x 14 mm
Inscriptions (catalogue)
HANNS TROSCHEL NORAEBERGE FACIEBAT 1631 (Cadran)

Historical significance

  • This sundial comprises two engraved ivory boards and presents numerous indications on its four sides. It is kept open by means of a hand-shaped gilded brass support on the side, with the cover parallel to the equator.
  • The main dial is on the inside horizontal face and fitted with a compass. The wire (missing), which passed from the cover to the central part of the dial, could be adjusted to the nearest latitude (39°, 42°, 45°, 48°, 51°, 54° and 56°). It projected the shadow of the sun onto the hours, engraved in Roman numerals.
  • The upper face and back feature a compass rose and a device for converting lunar hours into solar time.
  • As well as engraved indications in Latin and German, the sundial has two tables indicating the latitude of fifty-six and twenty-eight European cities and towns.

Photographs

Diptych sundial (MIH IV-100)
Diptych sundial (MIH IV-100) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. IV-100: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/35906/

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.