diptych-dial;
magnetic dial;
sundial;
analemmatic dial;
volvelle;
equinoctial dial
- Museum number
- 1889,0507.9
- Description
-
Magnetic azimuth diptych-dial; ivory and silver; equinoctial pin-gnomon dial and polar pin-gnomon dial; silver volvelle; horizontal string-gnomon dial; compass well: analemmatic magnetic dial; compass glass renewed; silver disc with scale of dates; calendar table; signature.
- Production date
- 1655-1665
- Dimensions
-
Height: 15 millimetres
-
Length: 73 millimetres
-
Width: 63 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
-
- Curator's comments
- Ward 1981
a. Equinoctial pin-gnomon dial and polar pin-gnomon dial. A storage hole for the pin in the side of the dial.
b. Silver volvelle, with calendar on two outermost (fixed) rings. Inside this, a moondial or tidal calculator and moon-phase indicator, with two revolving discs. The ring of figures 1-12, 1-12 serves as a pin-gnomon equinoctial dial. To right, a scale of latitudes 0°-80°, to receive the outer point of the pivoted supporting strut.
c. Horizontal string-gnomon dial. In compass well, an analemmatic magnetic dial, comprising an elliptical scale of hours adjustable from face d., the time read from the long compass needle as it intersects this scale, after the whole dial has been set so that the shadow of the lid falls exactly on the base. Compass glass renewed. On the compass rose the names of fourteen European towns are given, with their latitudes in degrees.
d. Silver disc with scale of dates at its edge, rotating past a fixed symbol of a hand, and actuating the analemma within the compass well. At the centre of the disc, a square table for weekly calculations. Simple border of decoration on all faces of this dial.
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
-
Latest: 2 (Nov 2016)
-
(Oct 2002). Replaced string gnomon with a piece of thick thread. (JLE).
-
3 (Nov 1995) String gnomon broken.
- Acquisition date
- 1889
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1889,0507.9
