barrel-shaped compendium with compass sundial
Date: circa 1650
Inventory Number: 7588
Classification: Sundial
Dimensions:6.7 x 4.1 x 4.1 cm (2 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 in.)
DescriptionThis ivory, barrel compendium has turning as decoration. It consists of three segments threaded together.
The bottom segment has a cracked base and corroded hole where the magnetic compass's pivot point once was. The pivot is missing. Inside the compass well, a "4" is inked on the base. Above this goes the magnetic compass and compass sundial. The paper wind rose is mounted on a floating compass card. It has the corroded remains of a diamond-shaped wire needle pasted underneath. The wind rose is hand colored and has 32 points marked in Germanic initials. (The language is likely Dutch.) The brass bevel for the compass glass (missing) is marked with the hour scale, 4-12-8, by 1 hour units. A maker's mark is on the south end of the hour scale, and consists of a little crown. The folding gnomon has an engraved decoration that looks like a wing on one side. The gnomon is for a latitude of approximately 52°.
The middle segment has a lunar volvelle of brass. From the outer scale towards the center, we have the age of the moon, 1-30; hours 1-12 twice; a volvelle with a pointer and an aperture revealing lunar phases, and hours 1-12 twice. There is some red coloring under the volvelle, which is preserved by a mica protector.
At the other end of the middle segment, there is a deep storage compartment.
The underside of the brass hour ring has the match mark IIII.