Accession No

1735

Brief Description

diptych dial and compendium in wood, German

Origin

Germany

Maker

Class

dials

Earliest Date

Latest Date

Inscription Date

Material

wood; metal (brass, steel); glass

Dimensions

length 158mm; breadth 96mm; thickness 34mm

Special Collection

Holden-White collection

Provenance

On loan from The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge. Donated by Charles Holden-White to the Fitzwilliam Museum. C. Holden-White collection no. 1935-89.

Inscription

‘55 No.55’ (on base)

Description Notes

Rectangular wooden diptych with brass hinges and hook fasteners.
Leaf Ia: two concentric brass volvelles, outer divided 1 - 12, 1 - 12, numbered by 1 and 1 - 29 1/2, numbered by 1, inner divided 1 - 24, numbered by 1 and marked ‘HOROLOGIV AEQVINOCTIALE’.
Leaf Ib: same scales repeated but this time only the inner scales on a volvelle (the others marked on the wood) and a further hour ring divided 1 - 12, 1 - 12, numbered by 1. These leaves together form an equinoctial dial. Right hand side of leaf carries brass arm for setting in latitude scale.
(Front of leaf has compartment with brass cover for steel gnomon; 8-2-2000).
Leaf IIa: glazed compass with brass base; 4-point rose and punched decoration; divided [0] - 90˚ - 0 - 90˚ - [0], numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 1˚. Brass latitude scale on right hand side divided [0]-10˚ - 90˚, numbered by 10˚, with notches every degree between 30˚ and 50˚.
Leaf IIb: illegible longhand ink inscription, and the number 55.

Condition: fair; complete.

References

Events