Record

Diptych sundial (detail)

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made in Dieppe, France

Postcard of Diptych sundial (detail).
000-190-001-023-C
© National Museums Scotland

Diptych sundial (detail)

Diptych sundials have two plates hinged together, and in use open out to form a right angle, with the string hinge operating as a gnomon. This ivory example was made in the 17th century in Dieppe in France. The photograph shows the inside of the lid.

The lunar or tidal volvelle is a circular brass disc graduated from 1 to 31, working inside a ring graduated 1-12 twice. It was used to discover the time of high tide in a given port, using the known lunar cycle.

This part of the dial is particularly found in French diptych dials. The inhabitants of the largely land-locked German cities would have no use for such a device.


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Online ID: 000-190-001-023-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1924.11
Date: 17th century
Material: Ivory, paper list, brass strut and disc. Inscription: [On base] List of places and latitudes
Dimensions: 2.75" x 2.25"
What: Sundial, universal, portable
Subject: 20. TIME MEASUREMENT, Sundials (Departmental Classification)
Who:
Where: France, Dieppe
Event:
Description: French portable universal sundial in ivory, book form, base with sunk compass, horizontal dial and list of places and latitudes, with equinoctial dial on lid, unsigned, Dieppe, 17th century
References:
  • For a comparable example, see Lloyd, Steven A., Ivory Diptych Sundials 1570-1750. London & Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard, 1992. p 136 
  • Turner, G. L'E. Antique Scientific Instruments. Poole: Blandford, 1980. pp 22-3 
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