Skip to main content
Please enable JavaScript in your web browser to get the best experience.
Menu
Main navigation
Visit
Toggle Visit submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Visit
—
Visit
—
Family visits
—
Group visits
—
Audio app
—
Out-of-hours tours
—
Tours and talks
—
Object trails
—
Accessibility
—
Food and drink
—
Late opening on Fridays
—
Museum map
Exhibitions and events
Collection
Toggle Collection submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Collection
—
Collection
—
Collection online
—
Galleries
—
Blog
—
The British Museum podcast
Learn
Toggle Learn submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Learn
—
Learn
—
Schools
—
Communities
—
Adult learning
—
Young people
Membership
Toggle Membership submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Membership
—
Membership
—
Renew Membership
—
Events
—
Buy Membership
—
Renew Gift Membership
—
Existing Members
—
Buy Under 26 Membership
—
Upgrade your Membership
—
How your money helps
—
Buy Gift Membership
—
Visiting as a Member
—
Members' Room
Support us
Toggle Support us submenu
Back
to previous menu
—
Support us
—
Donate
—
Corporate support
—
Become a Patron
—
Supporter case studies
—
Become a Volunteer
—
Leave a legacy
—
American Friends of the British Museum
Secondary navigation
Shop
Search
Donate
Hide menu
astronomical compendium
;
instrument-case
Object Type
astronomical compendium
instrument-case
Museum number
1888,1201.294
Description
Astronomical compendium; gilt brass; square black case; a) converter for lunar to solar time; compass visible through central hole surrounded by windrose; 12 compass points and corresponding zodiac signs; b) table giving difference between solar and lunar times; c) equinoctial pin-gnomon dial; e) horizontal dial with folding, shaped and engraved gnomon for latitude 48 25'; central compass marked for declination N10E; f) list of 57 towns and latitudes. The outside of the top leaf of this gilt brass compendium is engraved with the main cardinal points, the characteristics of the main winds and their effects on health. A table listing the differences between solar and lunar times is engraved on the inside, and the triangular folding gnomon of a horizontal dial for latitude 48°25' is held down by means of a silver catch in the form of a hand.
Production date
16thC(late)
Production place
Made in:
Germany
Materials
copper alloy
(brass?)
gold
(gilt)
silver
(catch (in shape of hand))
leather
(case outside, black; lining, red)
Technique
engraved
Dimensions
Length:
70 millimetres
(square)
Width:
70 millimetres
(square)
Depth:
15 millimetres
Bibliographic references
EPACT 1998 / EPACT: Scientific instruments of medieval and renaissance Europe
(http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=94216)
Ward 1981 / A catalogue of scientific instruments in the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities of the British Museum
(359)
Location
Not on display
Condition
Latest: 2 (Mar 2017)
Acquisition name
Bequeathed by:
Octavius Morgan
Acquisition date
1888
Department
Britain, Europe and Prehistory
Registration number
1888,1201.294