made in Nuremburg, Germany
000-100-102-674-C
© National Museums Scotland |
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Sundial
This portable wooden sundial was made in the 18th century, probably by David Beringer, a scientific instrument maker based in Nuremburg in Germany. Dials of this shape with many faces were usually made of stone and found in gardens.
The cubical dial has a sundial on each of the five upper sides. Above the east dial (facing in the picture) is the point for hanging the plumb-bob (now missing)
When correctly orientated, using the compass, all five dials will show the same time. This form of dial, made from cheap materials but nevertheless attractive, found a large market on the Continent at the end of the 18th century.
Record details
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| Online ID: |
000-100-102-674-C |
| Image Rights Holder: |
National Museums Scotland |
| Project: |
0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project |
| Ref: |
National Museums Scotland T.1924.157 |
| Date: |
18th century
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| Material: |
Wooden cube, base and upright. Inscription: D. Beringer
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| Dimensions: |
3.75" x 3.06" (base); 2.63" (side of cube)
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| What: |
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| Subject: |
20. TIME MEASUREMENT, Sundials (Departmental Classification)
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| Who: |
D. Beringer (Possible sundial maker)
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| Where: |
Germany
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| Event: |
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| Description: |
Sundial in form of a wooden cube supported on a hinged upright fixed in a wooden base with sunk compass, a sundial on each of the five upper sides, marked "D. Beringer", Germany, 18th century
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| References: |
- For continental sundials, see Turner, Anthony, Early Scientific Instruments 1400-1800. London: 1987, pp 222-3
- Zinner, E., Deutsche and Niederlandische astronomische Instrumente des 11-18 Jahrhunderts. Munich: 1967, p 247
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