made in Nuremburg, Germany
Add to albumDiptych 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
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- 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:
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