Diptych sundial (open)

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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 was made in 1612 in Nuremburg in Germany, probably by Hans Tucher, or Ducher.

The photograph shows the sundial open for use, with variable latitudes for the string gnomon marked inside the lid at 42, 48 and 54 degrees, while the base contains a compass (lacking its needle) and a pin gnomon dial for Italian hours.

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.

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-698-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' in Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society No 50 (1996) pp 6-10 
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