Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Scaphe Dial
Unsigned
16th century; Italian
Brass; 175 mm in diameter

This type of sundial or scaphe dial, has ancient origins. Dials made in this way bear hour lines engraved on the wall of the cup, on which the shadow of a protruding gnomon gives the time at the moment of observation.

The cup is equipped with an elegant moulded lid and has a support protruding from its upper rim, intended to house a compass which is now missing. The compass allowed the correct orientation of the instrument.

This dial was present in the Medici collections from 1574.



Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 241

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