Not recorded, Germany · fl. 1568–1569
Melchior Reichle
Partially verifiedGerman maker of a signed astronomical compendium and crucifix dial
Life & work
Melchior Reichle was a German instrument maker known only from two signed pieces, an astronomical compendium dated 1568 and a crucifix dial dated 1569, both in the British Museum.
The compendium, of gilt and silvered brass and 55 mm across, combines a nocturnal for different latitudes, a converter between solar and lunar time, an equatorial pin-gnomon dial, a magnetic compass with weather indications and a list of latitudes. The Epact catalogue notes that its dial layout is very similar to a universal equinoctial dial by Cornelius van den Eedt. The crucifix dial is signed 'MELCHIOR REICH', carries a German inscription across its arms and sliding rulers for converting Italian hours into common hours, and has a latitude scale from 42 to 54 degrees.
A. W. Franks presented the crucifix dial in 1874; the printed reference cited for the maker is Ernst Zinner's survey of German and Netherlandish astronomical instruments (2nd ed., 1967).
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.
Timeline
Melchior Reichle's recorded dates, dated events from this profile and its sources, and dated pieces and sales from the object catalogue. Dates are as each record gives them.
1568 · Career
First recorded as working
1568 · Career
Melchior Reichle was a German instrument maker known only from two signed pieces, an astronomical compendium dated 1568 and a crucifix dial dated 1569, both in the British Museum.
1568 · Career
Astronomical compendium, dated 1568, gilt and silvered brass, 55 x 15 mm; British Museum.
1568 · Catalogued piece
1569 · Career
Last recorded as working
1569 · Career
Crucifix dial, dated 1569, gilt brass, 56 x 37 x 10 mm, its latitude support now missing; British Museum, presented by A.
1874 · Career
Franks presented the crucifix dial in 1874; the printed reference cited for the maker is Ernst Zinner's survey of German and Netherlandish astronomical instruments (2nd ed., 1967).
Documented works
- Astronomical compendium, dated 1568, gilt and silvered brass, 55 x 15 mm; British Museum.
- Crucifix dial, dated 1569, gilt brass, 56 x 37 x 10 mm, its latitude support now missing; British Museum, presented by A. W. Franks in 1874.
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
No firm, model or movement in this encyclopedia is yet recorded under this maker's name.
In the object catalogue
2 catalogued objects are recorded under Melchior Reichle. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.
- Astronomical Compendium by Melchior ReichleAstronomical compendium · 1568
- Crucifix Dial by Melchior ReichleOther sundial · 1569
Provenance
Where the 2 catalogued pieces by Melchior Reichle were recorded, with the collectors, owners and sales their records name.
Provenance map
Each piece is linked to the museum, auction house or dealer whose record it comes from, and to any other house or collection its own provenance names. Select a name to see its pieces.
Museums · 2 pieces
History of Science Museum, Oxford
Museum · 2 pieces · Directory entry
Astronomical Compendium by Melchior ReichleAstronomical compendium · 1568 · Record source
The record names no sale, lot or earlier owner.
Crucifix Dial by Melchior ReichleOther sundial · 1569 · Record source
Provenance: A.W. Franks
Collectors, owners and donors
- A.W. FranksProvenance · Crucifix Dial by Melchior Reichle
Each line is copied from the object's source record and is not independently verified. Holders are as recorded when the piece was catalogued: museum objects may not be on display, and sold lots have since changed hands.
Sources & references
- Melchior Reichle (Epact makers), History of Science Museum, Oxford, retrieved 2026-11-04 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
- Astronomical Compendium signed by Melchior Reichle, dated 1568, History of Science Museum, Oxford, retrieved 2026-11-04 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
- Crucifix Dial signed by Melchior Reichle, dated 1569, History of Science Museum, Oxford, retrieved 2026-11-04 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.