Diptych sundial (detail)

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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 (pictured here open) was made in 1612 in Nuremburg in Germany, probably by Hans Tucher, or Ducher.

The upper part of the inside of the lid has a pin gnomon dial with a scale from 8 to 16, labelled "QVANTITAS DIE' [length of day]. Below are the holes of the string gnomon. The lower inscription translates as 'latitude 54,48,42, compass for everywhere'.

In the 16th century ivory diptych sundials came from three main centres: Nuremburg and Augsberg in Germany, and Dieppe in France. Most of Hans Ducher's dials were adjustable for use in northern Italy.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-001-039-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1961.70
• Date: 1612
  
• Material: Ivory tablets. Inscription: [Crowned serpent flanked by] H.T.; 1612
  Diptych dial
  
• Dimensions: 4.00" x 2.50"
  
• What: Diptych dial
  
• Subject: 20. TIME MEASUREMENT, Sundials (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Hans Tucher, Nuremburg, Germany (Maker)
  Sir John Findlay Collection
  
• Where: Germany, Nuremburg
  
• Event:
• Description: Diptych dial, with hinged ivory tablets, probably by Hans Tucher, or Ducher, Nuremburg, Germany, 1612
  
• References:
  • For dials by Tucher, see Lloyd, Steven A., Ivory Diptych Sundials 1570-1750. London & Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard, 1992, pp 46-7, 156 
  • The Sir John Findlay Collection; an important collection of scientific instruments (2 parts) / Sotheby & Co., London, 1961-1962 
  • Turner. G. L'E. & Morrison-Low, A.D. 'Zinner's Ghosts and a Curious Date: 1576'. Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society No 50 (1996) pp 6-10 
• Translations:
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