rectangular ivory diptych sundial in form of a book
Date: 1620-1645
Inventory Number: 7579
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Thomas Ducher (1590 - 1645)
Collector: Joseph Drecker (1853 - 1931)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
closed: 1.3 x 12.5 x 7.8 cm (1/2 x 4 15/16 x 3 1/16 in.)
DescriptionFaded black, red, and green coloring. Hinged lengthwise. Corner of II chipped. Compass viewing-hole in I. No slot for wind vane. Brass hook clasps on I, four flattened bun feet on IIb. Compass needle, glass, and brass ring intact. Edges of each tablet bordered by a double- and single-lined "frame."
Ia Wind rose with points, numbered 1-32 in German (east = 32), with arm-shaped indicator. Sixteen directions labeled in German, cardinal points labeled twice in Latin as S, ORIENS, and OR, M, and OCCIDENS and OC. Engraving of an Ottoman Turk and an American Indian (?) facing each other on either side of the wind rose among foliage.
Ib Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in Gothic-style black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours respectively. Holes for string gnomon at 40°, 42°, 45°, 48°, and 54° latitude, with intermediate holes. Colorful engraving of vegetation and foliage.
IIa Horizontal dial with three scales labeled 4-12-8 in black (inner) IIII-XII-VIII in red (middle), and 4-12-8 in black (outer), with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, and marked 42°, 48°, and 54°, respectively. Compass bowl has no apparent maker's mark, but two small six-pointed star stamps. Cardinal directions labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Magnetic declination indicated at 2° east (fleur-de-lys) and 15° west (faintly stratched line) of north. Two pin gnomon dials at bottom, on left labeled "H.B." [horae babyloniae] and 2-15 in black numerals for Babylonian hours, on right labeled "H.I." {horae italianae} and 9-22 in red numerals for Italian hours. Foliate decoration.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle with a stamped brass rotating disc (2.4 cm) with index. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner and middle) and 1-29 (outer). Man-in-the moon motif on brass volvelle. Depictions of "NEI MON," "ERST VIRTEL," "VOL MON," and "LETZT VIRTEL" {new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter} on ivory. Engraving of a European man and woman amidst foliage. Image inverted for legibility.
Ia Wind rose with points, numbered 1-32 in German (east = 32), with arm-shaped indicator. Sixteen directions labeled in German, cardinal points labeled twice in Latin as S, ORIENS, and OR, M, and OCCIDENS and OC. Engraving of an Ottoman Turk and an American Indian (?) facing each other on either side of the wind rose among foliage.
Ib Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in Gothic-style black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours respectively. Holes for string gnomon at 40°, 42°, 45°, 48°, and 54° latitude, with intermediate holes. Colorful engraving of vegetation and foliage.
IIa Horizontal dial with three scales labeled 4-12-8 in black (inner) IIII-XII-VIII in red (middle), and 4-12-8 in black (outer), with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, and marked 42°, 48°, and 54°, respectively. Compass bowl has no apparent maker's mark, but two small six-pointed star stamps. Cardinal directions labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Magnetic declination indicated at 2° east (fleur-de-lys) and 15° west (faintly stratched line) of north. Two pin gnomon dials at bottom, on left labeled "H.B." [horae babyloniae] and 2-15 in black numerals for Babylonian hours, on right labeled "H.I." {horae italianae} and 9-22 in red numerals for Italian hours. Foliate decoration.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle with a stamped brass rotating disc (2.4 cm) with index. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner and middle) and 1-29 (outer). Man-in-the moon motif on brass volvelle. Depictions of "NEI MON," "ERST VIRTEL," "VOL MON," and "LETZT VIRTEL" {new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter} on ivory. Engraving of a European man and woman amidst foliage. Image inverted for legibility.
Signedunsigned
FunctionIndicates local solar time (both day and night), magnetic north and wind direction.
Curatorial RemarksLloyd7
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (no. 120); 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. 7.