Diptych sundial (closed)

Add to album

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

The outside of the lid has a compass-viewing circular hole in it. It is engraved with a wind-rose (lacking its vane) with 32 compass points, 8 labelled in German and in Latin. It has a brass arm-shaped indicator to record the previous wind direction.

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

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-190-001-042-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:
  • 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:
• Related Records: