Accession No

1127

Brief Description

perpetual calendar, Dutch, 18th Century

Origin

Netherlands

Maker

Class

horology

Earliest Date

1700

Latest Date

1800

Inscription Date

Material

metal (silver)

Dimensions

diameter 59 mm

Special Collection

Robert Whipple collection

Provenance

Donated by Robert S. Whipple to the University of Cambridge in 11/1944 as part of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science’s founding collection.

Inscription

Description Notes

Silver disc-shaped perpetual calendar. Central disc with pierced plates rotating over both faces. Rim round the circumference marked with (?) hallmark.
Obverse: overplate carries table of days (Sondagh, Maendagh, Dinghsdagh, Woensdagh, Donderdagh,Vreydagh, Saterdagh) with symbols; plate moves over circle of days, numbered 1 - 31 by 1. Decoratively engraved with putti, Father Time and hour glass, spade, scull and sherds.
Reverse: plate pierced with six windows showing the central disc calibrated for sign of zodiac, number of days in the month (Maant Dagen), length of day (Dagh langh) divided 8 - 17 - 8, length of night (Nagte landh) divided 8 - 17 - 8, sunset (Son ondergangh) divided 3 1/2 - 8 1/2 - 3 1/2, sunrise (Son opgangh) divided 3 1/2 - 8 1/2 - 3 1/2; central lunar volvelle for age and phase of moon.

Complete.

References

Events