Accession No

1715

Brief Description

sun and moon dial, by Johann Martin, German, circa 1700

Origin

Germany; Augsburg

Maker

Martin, Johann

Class

dials

Earliest Date

1700

Latest Date

1700

Inscription Date

Material

metal (gilt brass, silvered brass, steel); glass

Dimensions

length 67mm; width 63mm; thickness 10mm

Special Collection

Holden-White collection

Provenance

On loan from The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge. Donated by Charles Holden-White to the Fitzwilliam Museum. Holden-White collection no. 1935-69.

Inscription

‘Johan Martin in
Augspurg 48’ (reverse)
‘Horizontale Solis & Lunare’ (dial plate)

Description Notes

Gilt brass octagonal base plate on 3 feet with decoration in corners; surmounted by silvered brass dial plate divided IIII - XII, I - VIII, numbered by I, subdivided to 30 minutes; with lunar age scale marked ‘Aet luna’ divided 1 - 28, numbered by 1; volvelle ring divided 1 - 12, 1 - 12, numbered by 1 for lunar/solar hour conversion. Marked on dial plate ‘Horizontale Solis & Lunare’. Decorated hinged support for string gnomon with attachment points marked for latitude 50˚ - 46˚, numbered by 1˚. Plumb bob missing. Spring plate beneath decorated. Inset compass with cardinal points and marked at 5˚ E of N for magnetic variation. Brass diametrical bar.
Reverse of compass box carries list of towns and latitudes.

Condition: fair; incomplete (plumb bob and gnomon missing).

References

Events