Accession No

0575

Brief Description

universal equinoctial dial, possibly German, 18th Century

Origin

Germany [attributed]

Maker

Class

dials

Earliest Date

1700

Latest Date

1800

Inscription Date

Material

metal (brass, steel); glass

Dimensions

length 147 mm; breadth 148 mm; thickness 34 mm

Special Collection

Robert Whipple collection

Provenance

Purchased by Robert Stewart Whipple from Antique Art Galleries, Grafton Street, London, England on 30/01/1930.

Inscription

J.DC [?] [Bryden thought this was an owner's monogram, not a maker's mark]

Description Notes

Universal equinoctial dial, German (?), 18th C.

Square brass base plate with corners cut away; 4 feet. Decoration includes a monogram (JDC?) and heads of putti between pair of outstretched wings. On the base a scale of latitudes divided [27˚] - 70˚, numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 1˚; indentations for supporting arm at 1˚ intervals between 35˚ and 55˚, and one at 65˚. Inset compass with 8-point rose; fleur-de-lis North; cardinal points marked in Latin. Hinged hour circle segment divided IV - XII, I - VIII, numbered by I, subdivided to 15 minutes; folding gnomon on decorative diameter; hinged supporting arm (supporting arm (?) detached; selotaped to base; 26-1-2000).

Condition: fair (supporting arm detached).

[NOTE: On 15/04/2015 XRF analysis was conducted on this instrument. Results and analysis are given in the ‘Notes’ field.]

References

Events