Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Diptych Dial
Signed by Hans Troschel
Dated 1586; Nuremberg
Ivory and brass; 70 x 55 x 12 mm

This is an example of a diptych dial in the form of a book.

On both the outer faces are engraved coloured figures: on the upper leaf, St. Helena holding a cross in her right hand, and on the lower leaf, Constantine (Helena's husband, father of the Emperor Constantine). Constantine is depicted as a bearded man in Roman armour, and holds a pennant in his right hand.

The actual dial has two different strings, marking common hours respectively from 4 a.m. to noon and from noon to 8 p.m.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 70006

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