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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Salzburg, Munich, Germany · c. 1550–1629

Tobias Volckmer

Partially verified

Maker of astrolabes, sundials, quadrants, and other precision instruments

Life & work

Born in Brunswick between 1550 and 1560, Tobias Volckmer was a skilled goldsmith, mathematician, and instrument maker.

He is first documented in the Salzburg archives in 1586, where he became a citizen as a goldsmith. In 1594, he relocated to Munich to serve as mathematician and goldsmith at the court of the Dukes of Bavaria. Throughout his career, Volckmer maintained a prolific workshop producing over twenty known instruments, including astrolabes, sundials, and specialized surveying tools.

His son, also named Tobias Volckmer, trained as a goldsmith and assisted his father in surveying tasks before eventually succeeding him at the court.

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

  • He collaborated with his son on large-scale civil engineering projects, including the layout of the Munich Hofgarten.

Documented works

  • His surviving body of work includes a 1594 astrolabe now held in London's British Museum.
  • A quadrant dating from 1608 is currently preserved at the Museo Galileo in Florence.
  • A surveying instrument from 1612 is also catalogued in the collection of the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford.

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

4 catalogued objects are recorded under Tobias Volckmer. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.

  • Astronomical compendium by Tobias Volckmer, 1588, showing the main box and the detached thread reel component.
  • Rear view of the brass astrolabe, showing the concentric scales and the signature cartouche of Tobias Volckmer.
  • Front face of the universal quadrant, showing the engraved grid, removable compass, and alidade mechanism.
  • The astronomical compendium shown open, revealing the internal dial scales, the compass housing, and the folding gnomon.

Sources & references

  1. Tobias Volckmer, British Museum, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  2. Epact: Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance ..., History of Science Museum, Oxford, retrieved 2026-11-03 (paraphrased; text © the publisher)
  3. Tobias Volckmer senior, Wikipedia (German), retrieved 2026-11-03 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)

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