horizontal dial;
moondial;
nocturnal;
sundial;
compass-dial;
volvelle;
instrument-case
- Museum number
- 1867,0310.1
- Description
-
This gilt brass horizontal dial consists of a circular disc with a handle and with volvelles on both sides.
The FRONT of the disc is laid out as both a nocturnal and a horizontal sun and moon dial, with several circular scales as follows (from the outside):
1) A zodiacal scale marked with the usual Latin names of the signs (except 'GEMINY') and the symbols. Each sign has a 30° scale numbered by 10 and divided to single degrees.
2) A calendrical scale with the names of the months indicated by their initial letters. Each month has the corresponding number of days, marked by 10 and divided to 1. The equinoxes are in February and August.
Between these two scales is a revolving ring attached by four radial arms to a rotating disc in the centre, marked with the age of the moon 1 to 29, divided to 1/2. The hours are not marked but indicated by protruding teeth with two elongated teeth indicating 12 o'clock.
Over this disc revolves another disc of the same size with an index marked 'LIGNE DE FOY'. The disc has an hour scale 6 to 12 to 6 and a folding gnomon set for latitude circa 40°. A circular cutout allows the phases of the moon to be seen.
Attached to this disc is a compass marked with the cardinal points.and with a swivelling, engraved lid.
The centre of the handle, with a suspension apparatus, corresponds to 20 May.
The REVERSE of the main disc is laid out for a vertical pin gnomon dial with the folding gnomon now broken off. The rim is marked on one side with the initial letters of the months and the symbols of the zodiacal signs and an hour scale numbered 4 to 12 to 8, divided to 1/2 and 1/4 hours.
In the centre of this scale are two volvelles. The larger one, to which the folding pin gnomon was once attached, has scales indicating the lucky and unlucky days in a month, marked on the smaller disc with an index arm as 'LE GRAN [Symbol] SON LES IOVRS HEVR{EUX} LE PETIT SON LES IOVRS PERILE{S}'. These scales are (from the outside): 'LP 8 30 M[Aries] 6 16 17 18'; 'L 5 22 29 A[Taurus] 6 15'; 'L 4 27 M[Gemini] 7 15 17'; 'L 3 8 I[Cancer] 6'; 'L 2 13 16 I[Leo] 15 17'; 'L 12 A[Virgo] 19 20'; 'LP 8 23 28 S[Libra] 16 17'; 'L 3 25 O[Scorpio] 6'; 'L13 26 N[Sagittarius] 15 17'; 'L 18 26 D[Capricorn] 6 7 11'; 'L 3 13 I[Aquarius] P 2 4 6 9 5'; 'L 5 25 F[Pisces] 15 17'. The meaning of 'L' , 'P' and 'LP' and the strange sequence for the unlucky days in January are not fully understood yet.
The instrument has a tooled red leather CASE with a green velvet lining.
- Production date
- 16thC(late) (?)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 59 millimetres
- Curator's comments
- This instrument is neither signed nor dated, but comparison with similar instruments and the language used make it likely that it was made in late 16th century France.
Besides the more usual features there are also highly unusual tables of lucky and unlucky days on the reverse which serve astrological purposes.
[S. Ackermann, EPACT 1998, http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=28003]
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1999 1 Dec-2000 24 Sep, London, The Queen’s House, The Story of Time
- Condition
-
Latest: 2 (Oct 2016)
-
5 (Sep 2016) Weeping
-
2 (Feb 1996)
-
3 (Nov 1995)
-
5 (Oct 1995) NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. Verdigris in compass well.
- Acquisition date
- 1867
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1867,0310.1