Sundial

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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: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1924.157
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Wooden cube, base and upright. Inscription: D. Beringer
  
• Dimensions: 3.75" x 3.06" (base); 2.63" (side of cube)
  
• What:
• Subject: 20. TIME MEASUREMENT, Sundials (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: D. Beringer (Possible sundial maker)
  
• Where: Germany
  
• Event:
• 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
  
• 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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