oval ivory diptych sundial
Date: 1595
Inventory Number: 7574
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Hans Ducher II (fl. 1557 - 1614)
Maker: Hans Ducher III (fl. 1570 - 1614)
Collector: Joseph Drecker (1853 - 1931)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
closed: 1.2 x 5.4 x 8.8 cm (1/2 x 2 1/8 x 3 7/16 in.)
DescriptionBlack and red coloring. Tablet I is split lengthwise and has been glued together. Brass wire clasps on I and II, bun foot on I. The two tablets of ivory have become separated. Small hole in II where compass pin was once attached. Two dark splotches on II. Compass needle and glass missing, brass ring intact.
Ia Undecorated. Remnants of glue and paper remain along central seam where the two halves were glued back together.
Ib Pin gnomon dial (gnomon missing) indicating Italian hours, labeled 14-24. Inscribed "TEVTSCH VND WELSCH VHR IN VENETIA" [German and foreign hours in Venice]. Maker's mark (crowned snake) amidst date "1595." Vertical dial, labeled VII-XII-V in black numerals, with dots marking the half-hours. Six-pointed star and lunar crescent motif at top.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 56°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals, with dots marking the half-hours. Compass points labeled S, OR, M, and OC. Magnetic declination indicated at 7° east of north by a fleur-de-lys. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours labeled 9-23 in red numerals. Six-pointed star and lunar crescent motif.
IIb Undecorated. Initials "HD" with maker's mark (crowned snake) between initials appear at center. Numbered 216 in black ink. Image inverted for legibility.
Ia Undecorated. Remnants of glue and paper remain along central seam where the two halves were glued back together.
Ib Pin gnomon dial (gnomon missing) indicating Italian hours, labeled 14-24. Inscribed "TEVTSCH VND WELSCH VHR IN VENETIA" [German and foreign hours in Venice]. Maker's mark (crowned snake) amidst date "1595." Vertical dial, labeled VII-XII-V in black numerals, with dots marking the half-hours. Six-pointed star and lunar crescent motif at top.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 56°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals, with dots marking the half-hours. Compass points labeled S, OR, M, and OC. Magnetic declination indicated at 7° east of north by a fleur-de-lys. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours labeled 9-23 in red numerals. Six-pointed star and lunar crescent motif.
IIb Undecorated. Initials "HD" with maker's mark (crowned snake) between initials appear at center. Numbered 216 in black ink. Image inverted for legibility.
Signedon 2b: H [crowned snake] D
on 1b: 15 [crowned snake] 95
on 1b: 15 [crowned snake] 95
Curatorial RemarksLloyd2
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (no. 116); Frederik Casparus Wieder, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 1928; D. P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1959; gift to CHSI, ca. 1987.
Published ReferencesSteven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570-1750 (Cambridge: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, 1992), cat. no. 2.