Accession No
0330
Brief Description
astronomical compendium, gilt brass, by Ulrich Schniep, German, 1553
Origin
München (Munich); Germany
Maker
Schniep. Ulrich
Class
dials
Earliest Date
1553
Latest Date
1553
Inscription Date
1553
Material
metal (gilt brass); glass
Dimensions
Special Collection
Robert Whipple collection
Provenance
Purchased by Robert Stewart Whipple from Antique Art Galleries, London, in 12/1927.
Inscription
‘HOC HOROLOGIUM FECIT ULRICHVS SCHNIEP MONAGENSIS AD ELEVATIONEM POLI A. GRA 38 VSQVE 54 GR’
Description Notes
Astronomical compendium, gilt brass, by Ulrich Schniep, German, 1553.
Gilt-brass compendium with 4 turned feet.
Lid: nocturnal and zodiac scale marked by symbol, numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 2˚. Volvelle disc toothed for hours, divided IIII - XII, I - VIII, numbered by I; marked ‘Horae noctis ajus ovum mai orien invenie ndae’. 4 windows to show calibrations beneath for ‘hora occasvs solis’ and ‘hora ortus solis’ for 48, 46, 44 and 42˚ N. Volvelle with index divided 1 - 12, 1 - 12, numbered by 12, subdivided to 20 minutes. Nocturnal sights and index arm. Decorated at corners.
Inside the lid a 32-point wind rose marked in Latin and German. Fleur-de-lys for North, cross for East. Lunar age volvelle divided 1 - 29, numbered by 1. Representations of the 4 winds in the corners. Dated close to the hinge ‘1553’.
Base (inclining horizontal dial plate is missing): lunar volvelle with age and phase diagram marked ‘dies etatis lunae’. Compass with meridian line marked. Whole compass moves over degree scale divided ‘ost’ - 90˚, [0] - 90˚, numbered by 15˚, subdivided to 5˚. Decoratively engraved foliage motifs. Scale for inclination of dial plate, divided 38 - 46 and 48 - 54, numbered by 2˚.
Below base leaf uncalibrated and incomplete Gemma Frisius projection. This ‘base’ leaf may be removed by unscrewing the 4 feet. Reverse plain.
The top half can be removed by sliding the button on the front to the left.
Underneath is a table of towns and latitudes (see history file).
Condition: good.
[NOTE: On 15/04/2015 XRF analysis was conducted on this instrument. Results are given in the ‘Notes’ field.]
References
Events
Description
An astronomical compendium is an instrument that carries numerous devices for telling the time and performing astronomical calculations. Many compendia were made in the German lands in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. They are often beautifully engraved in gilt brass. Typically such compendia carry a sundial, various lunar and solar volvelles, a compass, tables of latitude, and a perpetual calendar.
Two characteristics are typical of the construction of these instruments: first, they were often made as lavishly as possible; second, they are ingeniously constructed, with as many instruments as possible filling the available space. Each plate of the compendium is known as a 'leaf', and carries a different device. Most of the instruments on a compendium are used to simplify astronomical calculations. Many compendia have volvelles—rotating discs that show the phases of the Moon, the positions of planets, and other such phenomena.
Almost all compendia have at least one form of sundial. These are often adjustable for use in different places, and are accompanied by lists of the latitudes of major cities around the world. Sometimes these lists are obviously functional, including various towns and major ports, but often they are more fanciful, including places such as Babylon, Alexandria, Moscow, Cuba, Constantinople, and Nineveh (an important ancient city in Assyria). Like the gilt decoration and detailed engraving, these were intended to show the wealth and status of the instrument's owner.
Some compendia also carry stereographic projections. These are multi-purpose maps of the heavens, allowing many astronomical calculations to be simplified. Using these, people could determine the time of sunrise and sunset, and the position of the Sun in its annual (apparent) motion through the sky.
19/12/2013
Created by: [Adapted from Boris Jardine’s 2008 Explore article] on 19/12/2013
FM:39796
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