diptych-dial;
sundial;
moondial;
nocturnal;
compass-dial;
equinoctial dial
- Museum number
- 1854,1211.1
- Description
-
The stamped inscriptions on this ivory diptych dial are filled with red and black colours. Two brass clasps (one missing) allow the dial to be closed, two clasps attached to the opposite side hold the dial in the open position while being used. A pivoted arm on the side edge of the lower leaf covers a cavity which probably contained a now missing pin gnomon.
The dial is decorated with geometrical patterns which contain lunar crescents, stars and sun effigies.
The OUTER surface of the UPPER LEAF is engraved as a windrose with 32 directions given in German, north is additionally marked with a cross. Outside the dial, the directions of the rising and the setting of the sun as well as midday and midnight are indicated .
In the centre of the windrose is a gilt brass LUNAR VOLVELLE with an index. The age of the moon is marked on the ivory and can be seen through an aperture in the disc which also contains a circular cut-out for the lunar phases. The disc has a 24 hour scale. The pin gnomon for the equatorial dial is missing.
The INNER surface of the upper leaf is laid out as a vertical PIN GNOMON DIAL and a vertical STRING GNOMON DIAL(string missing).
The pin gnomon dial shows Babylonian hours, numbered 1 to 10, and the lines of the zodiacal signs with their symbols. The string gnomon dial is numbered 7 to 12 to 5.
In the centre is a brass disc for an equatorial pin gnomon dial (pin missing) with a 24 hour scale, numbered twice 1 to 12. The brass disc is now in an incorrect position, which makes telling the correct time impossible.
On the right hand side is a latitude scale from 5° to 60° marked 'POLVS HEHE' which allows the equatorial dials on the upper leaf to be set to the appropriate latitude.
The signature of the maker and place of production are engraved on the face of the string gnomon dial, at the bottom.
The INNER surface of the LOWER LEAF has a horizontal STRING GNOMON DIAL, numbered 4 to 12 to 8, and for Italian hours through the year in 9 circles numbered (from the outside) 8 (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 respectively) to 24. There is no indication to which month which circle refers.
Outside the dial are the cardinal directions marked in Latin with eat and west as 'ORTVS' and 'OCCASVS'. A COMPASS WELL with a deviation of circa 9° E is empty except for the maker's mark, a crown, stamped twice.
At the base of the dial are an inscription in German and the date.
The OUTER surface of the lower leaf contains a NOCTURNAL with the cursor missing. It consists of a gilt brass VOLVELLE with a long index and 23 small projecting pins. The volvelle has a 24 hour scale numbered clockwise twice 1 to 12. The centre bears a foliate design. A cutout in the brass disc shows a calendar on the ivory marked clockwise with the names of the months in Latin, each month numbered 10 to 30 (28 and 31 respectively). The zodiacal signs are marked with their symbols; the equinoxes corresponding to March 11 and September 12. At the base the maker's mark is again stamped twice.
- Production date
- 1587
- Dimensions
-
Length: 105 millimetres
-
Width: 85 millimetres
-
Depth: 15 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
-
-
-
- Curator's comments
- The equatorial pin gnomon dial for the winter on the inner surface of the upper leaf is now set incorrectly and the nocturnal on the outer surface of the lower leaf is incomplete.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
-
Latest: 2 (Nov 2016)
-
2008: String gnomon missing. Pin gnomon missing.
- Acquisition date
- 1854
- Acquisition notes
- Lebenheim was executor of Forrest estate.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1854,1211.1
