- Museum number
- OA.2433
- Description
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Rectangular notebook incorporating multi-component perpetual calendar medal; two rectangular silver covers and originally four ivory leaves (one and a half now missing) riveted together in such a way that each swivels around the rivet independently; circular calendar tables incised on the outer face of each cover, onto each of which is riveted a circular revolving disc of slightly smaller diameter with cut-aways partially revealing data on the table below; a further, smaller, revolving disc attached to obverse by the same rivet; a small pin to facilitate movement on each revolving disc; all incised.
Small disc with three concentric semicircles of inscriptions interrupted by cutaway with planetary symbols along inner edge corresponding to seven data fields viewed on inner circles of larger obverse disc below, foliate scroll decoration in centre and in remaining spaces; small pin to facilitate turning.
Six concentric circles of inscriptions: along short outer edge, symbols of seven planets; in next circle, adjacent cutaway revealing corresponding calendar data on obverse cover below, and prominent inscription; in third circle, representations of phases of moon; in three inner circles, lunar tables; in centre, foliate scroll decoration; small pin in outer circle to facilitate turning.
Rectangular cover; incised circular table in centre with 31 fields along edge numbered '1' to '31'; seven fields visible at a time through cutaway on disc above; foliate scroll decoration in remaining spaces; initials 'F.B.' printed in black ink in centre of underside.
Revolving disc with seven concentric semicircles of inscriptions interrupted by a cutaway partially revealing data on circular table below; all inlaid in red; foliate decoration in remaining spaces and centre.
Rectangular cover; incised central table in eight concentric circles, each divided into 12 segments, giving months, feastdays and holidays, zodiac symbols, lengths of day and night, and times of sunrise and sunset; inscriptions in outermost circle inlaid in red and always visible; only one segment of other circles visible at a time through cutaway above.
Two and a half rectangular leaves with pencilled notes (some faded and illegible) and two lists in black ink; all in German hand.
- Production date
- 18thC(early)
- Dimensions
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Length: 95 millimetres (plates)
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Weight: 75.55 grammes
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Width: 59 millimetres (plates)
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Although unusual, this elaborate silver and ivory ‘notebook’ inset with the features of multi-component calendar medals is not unique. Of the known comparable pieces, some are signed by the Nuremberg silversmith Johann Georg Mettel (1684-1738), with the earliest dating from 1710 (Munich, Bayerisches Nationalmuseum) and the latest from 1732 (once in Gotha, current location unknown). Another signed piece is in the Kestner Museum in Hanover. Mettel appears to have specialised in the production of these silver perpetual calendars with ivory writing plates. The BM’s calendar is neither signed nor dated, but the very close similarity to the signed pieces suggests an attribution to the same maker. Other unsigned calendars, also attributable to Mettel, are in London (Victoria & Albert Museum), Bielefeld (Sammlung Hülsmann) and Würzburg (Mainfränkisches Museum).
The planetary symbols on the obverse represent the days of the week, where Sun stands for Sunday, Moon for Monday, Mars for Tuesday, Mercury for Wednesday, Jupiter for Thursday, Venus for Friday, and Saturn for Saturday. The turning of the revolving disc allows certain dates to correspond to certain weekdays, thus forming a perpetual calendar. The lunar calendar giving the times for the southing of the Moon follows the usual rules, according to which the time of lunar southing increases by 48 minutes every night; see part 1 [Ackermann 2004], p. 13. The lunar age is given in the second row, the hour in the fourth row, and the minutes are given in the third row, as explained by the labels on the smaller revolving disc, counting forwards until Full Moon and backwards thereafter. The letters on the inside of the cover may be the initials of an owner.
For the feast days given on the reverse, see [Ackermann 2005] pp. 9, 11. The term ‘Große Uhr’ normally refers to the use of twenty-four hours for a day rather than twice twelve. However, it is not clear how this relates to the values given in the table. For ‘Sonnenlauf’, the date on which the Sun enters a particular sign of the Zodiac, see part 1 [Ackermann 2004], p. 13. Not only Capricorn but also Sagittarius and Aquarius are depicted with a fishtail. For the times of sunrise and sunset and day lengths and night lengths, see part 1 [Ackermann 2004], p. 13.
The notes on the ivory leaves show that the notebook was actively used. They give the symbols of the five planets and their names, as well as their attributes (mirror for Venus, herald’s staff for Mercury, spear and shield for Mars, lightning for Jupiter). Further notes, now virtually illegible, appear to refer to the owner’s personal circumstances.
[Ackermann 2005, p.14]
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
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Latest: 3 (Mar 2017) fragile, handle with care
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One leaf loose.
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- OA.2433
