Accession No
0574
Brief Description
astronomical compendium, by Tobias Volckmer, German, 1645
Origin
Germany; München
Maker
Volckmer, Tobias
Class
dials
Earliest Date
1645
Latest Date
1645
Inscription Date
1645
Material
metal (gilt brass, silver, steel); glass
Dimensions
length 105mm; breadth 101mm; thickness 30mm
Special Collection
Robert Whipple collection
Provenance
Purchased by Robert Stewart Whipple from Antique Art Galleries, Grafton Street, London, England on 30/01/1930. In 1955, Derek de Sola Price, as part of his research into possible fakes in the Whipple collection, wrote to Antique Art Galleries asking them to provide details of this object and others’ provenance. Their reply indicated only that this object had been acquired “In Vienna, from a dealer” [see OHF for Wh.0365 for copy of letter].
Inscription
‘TOBIAS VOLCKMER F[A]CIEBAT. ANNO. 1645.’ (inside leaf II)
‘Ioachim Maurier’ (leaf Ia)
Description Notes
Astronomical compendium, by Tobias Volkmer, German, 1645.
Leaf Ia: sinical quadrant; radial calibrations 0 - 30, numbered by 5˚, subdivided to 1˚. Circumference scale divided 0 - 90˚, numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 1˚. ‘Ioachim Maurier’ in oval cartouche surrounded by engraved leaves and with coat of arms; slit and pinhole sights on upper edge, with vignette of surveyors.
Leaf Ib: dial for planetary hours divided I - XII, I - XII, numbered by I, subdivided to 15 minutes. In the centre divided 1 - 24, numbered by 1, with a second similar scale out of phase by 12 hours. Diametrical index with calibration by zodiac sign. Symbolic representations of the elements. (Cardinal points marked?; 8-2-2000).
Leaf IIa: zodiac scale divided to sign; date scale; days numbered by 10, divided to 2. Lunar age scale and lunar phase diagram. Inner scale on lower level (?). Flower motif decoration in corners.
Leaf IIb: compass and windrose freely rotating, divided 1 - 24, numbered by 1. 8 winds with heads of putti blowing (12?; 8-2-2000). Inset compass with silvered 8-point rose. Fruit decoration in corners.
Leaf IIIa: horizontal dial for 51˚ and 48˚ N, divided 4 - 12, 1 - 8, numbered by 1, subdivided to 15 minutes. Representations of the winds. List of towns and latitudes. (Gnomon missing; 8-2-2000).
Leaf IIIb: vertical circle divided 0 - 90˚ - 0 - 90˚ - 0, numbered by 10˚, divided to 1˚; also divided 0 - 360˚, numbered by 10˚; also divided 3 - 12 (part). Within the lower semicircle two geometric quadrants surrounded by decorative motif of fruit; marked ‘scale altimetra’ and ‘sinvs
quadr: geometriae’; divided 0 - 16 - 0, numbered by 4, subdivided to 1, for each quadrant. Also marked ‘umbra ver:’ and ‘umbra rec[t]’ and ‘linea med’. Within the lower semicircle a sinical quadrant divided 15 - 0 - 15, numbered by 5, subdivided to 1; marked ‘anguli fortificationis siue cicumferentie. vel ex centro’ around circumference. Leaf IIIb held in vertical position by 2 bars hinged from sides.
Incomplete (gnomon missing; catch missing?; 8-2-2000).
[NOTE: On 15/04/2015 XRF analysis was conducted on this instrument. Results and analyses are given in the ‘Notes’ field.]
References
Boris Jardine; 'Astronomical compendia'; Explore Whipple Collections online article; Whipple Museum of the History of Science; University of Cambridge; 2008: https://www.whipplemuseum.cam.ac.uk/explore-whipple-collections/astronomy/astronomical-compendia
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:39979
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