Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Diptych Dial
Signed by Hans Troschel
Dated 1580; Nuremberg
Ivory and brass; 65 x 88 x 15 mm

This is an example of an extensively inscribed dial, with mottoes and memento mori, among which 'All you who put your trust in God, He will not desert you in your distress; in all your doings and omissions, let God be your end and beginning' and 'death comes, the hour flies, be mindful of approaching death. Each hour is an indication of the hour of your funeral'.

There are also instructions on how to use and keep the dial. The mark 'n' (for Nuremberg) is punched on the outer side of the lower leaf, to attest the quality of the instrument.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 65616

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