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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Nuremberg, Germany · 1549–1612 (Elder); 1585–1628 (Younger)

Hans Troschel

Partially verified

Maker of ivory compasses and diptych sundials

Life & work

Hans Troschel the Elder was a renowned Nuremberg maker of compasses and sundials during the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

His son, Hans Troschel the Younger, learned the craft of ivory sundial and compass making from his father in Nuremberg. To distinguish their products, the father utilized a bird-based master mark, while the son adopted a star symbol. The younger Troschel also trained as a copper engraver under Peter Isselburg and later relocated to Rome in 1624.

The fuller biography summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.

Training, contributions & innovations

  • The Troschels utilized distinct maker marks to differentiate their individual craftsmanship on their scientific instruments.

Documented works

  • Instruments produced by the Troschels are preserved in the collections of the British Museum and the Museum of the History of Science.

Collecting significance

The catalogued pieces listed on this page show the kinds of objects auction houses, dealers and museums attribute to this maker; each attribution is the source's own.

Firms, key models & movements

Famous objects

In the object catalogue

5 catalogued objects are recorded under Hans Troschel. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

Diagram

12345let downstripcleanoilregulateorder of work; never skip letting down the mainspring
Schematic: order of work at the bench. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Hans Troschel der Jüngere, Wikipedia (German), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
  2. Troschel, Hans (2), Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03
  3. Troschel, Hans (1), Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-11-03

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