made in Nuremburg, Germany

Diptych sundial (closed)

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

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Online ID:	000-190-001-042-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: 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
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
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