rectangular ivory diptych sundial
Date: 1679-1700
Inventory Number: 7526
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Georg Karner (fl. 1679 - 1700)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
closed: 1.3 x 6.1 x 9.4 cm (1/2 x 2 3/8 x 3 11/16 in.)
DescriptionBlack and red coloring. Tablet I slightly warped. Compass viewing-hole in I, slot for wind vane in side of II. Brass wire clasps on I and II, four bun feet on II. Compass needle intact, glass and metal ring missing.
la Wind rose with 16 points, 16 directions labeled in German, wind vane missing.
lb Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in black numerals. Decorated with large six-pointed star and alternating red and black circular motifs.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 48°, labeled 5-12-7 in black numerals. Compass bowl with four-winds motif and rearing horse maker's mark. Cardinal directions given in compass bowl as SEPT, ORIE, MER.I, and OCCI. Magnetic declination 10° west of north. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours (labeled 10-23 in red numerals) and Babylonian hours (labeled 1-14 in black numerals). Foliate and circular red decorative stamps.
llb Standard German lunar volvelle with a stamped brass rotating disc (2.5 cm) with index. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner and middle) and 1-29 (outer). Man-in-the-moon motif on volvelle.
la Wind rose with 16 points, 16 directions labeled in German, wind vane missing.
lb Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in black numerals. Decorated with large six-pointed star and alternating red and black circular motifs.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 48°, labeled 5-12-7 in black numerals. Compass bowl with four-winds motif and rearing horse maker's mark. Cardinal directions given in compass bowl as SEPT, ORIE, MER.I, and OCCI. Magnetic declination 10° west of north. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours (labeled 10-23 in red numerals) and Babylonian hours (labeled 1-14 in black numerals). Foliate and circular red decorative stamps.
llb Standard German lunar volvelle with a stamped brass rotating disc (2.5 cm) with index. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner and middle) and 1-29 (outer). Man-in-the-moon motif on volvelle.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksLloyd36
ProvenanceBrieux; David P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1952; gift to CHSI, ca. 1987.
Published ReferencesSteven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570-1750 (Cambridge: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, 1992), cat. no. 36.