Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Horizontal Dial
Attributed to Carlo Plato
Dated 1578; Rome
Gilt brass; 125 mm in diameter

This instrument, made up of a gilt brass disk, is equipped with a Cardan-suspension compass which can rotate around its centre. On one face four sundials are engraved, providing the time in four different hour systems. This face also bears an inscription giving the place and the date (1578).

The other face bears four further sundials giving Italian hours and equal hours for 42 and 45? and, again, an inscription specifying Rome and the year 1578.

The instrument, which is of very elegant construction, is unsigned but is similar in style and engraving to instruments by Carlo Plato.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 246

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