octagonal ivory diptych sundial
Date: circa 1620
Inventory Number: 7539
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Conrad Karner (1571 - 1632)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
closed: 1.4 x 5.2 x 7.2 cm (9/16 x 2 1/16 x 2 13/16 in.)
DescriptionBlack, red, and blue coloring. Brass wire clasps on I and II, hanging loop on II. Compass needle intact, glass and metal ring missing. Hole in II for attaching string.
la Standard German lunar volvelle with a stamped brass rotating disc (2.5 cm) with index. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner and middle) and 1-29 (outer). Man-in-the-moon motif on volvelle. Foliate decoration.
lb Vertical dial, scale labeled VI-XII-VI in black numerals. Large eight-pointed star motif with sun stamps. Signed "CONRAD KARNER" under star. Four small decorative stamps.
Ila Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals. Maker's mark (a hunting horn) appears twice in compass bowl. Cardinal directions given in compass bowl as SEPT, ORIE, MERI, and OCCI. Magnetic declination 4 ° east of north. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours labeled 10-23 in black numerals. Three small decorative stamps.
llb Plain, except for the maker's mark (hunting horn) next to string gnomon hole.
la Standard German lunar volvelle with a stamped brass rotating disc (2.5 cm) with index. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner and middle) and 1-29 (outer). Man-in-the-moon motif on volvelle. Foliate decoration.
lb Vertical dial, scale labeled VI-XII-VI in black numerals. Large eight-pointed star motif with sun stamps. Signed "CONRAD KARNER" under star. Four small decorative stamps.
Ila Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals. Maker's mark (a hunting horn) appears twice in compass bowl. Cardinal directions given in compass bowl as SEPT, ORIE, MERI, and OCCI. Magnetic declination 4 ° east of north. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours labeled 10-23 in black numerals. Three small decorative stamps.
llb Plain, except for the maker's mark (hunting horn) next to string gnomon hole.
Signedon 1b: CONRAD KARNER
Curatorial RemarksLloyd27
ProvenanceDavid P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA; gift to CHSI, ca. 1987.
Published ReferencesSteven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570-1750 (Cambridge: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, 1992), cat. no. 27.