rectangular ivory diptych sundial
Date: 1620-1645
Inventory Number: 7576
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Thomas Ducher (1590 - 1645)
Collector: Joseph Drecker (1853 - 1931)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
0.6 lb. (0.3 kg)
dial: 1.3 x 6.4 x 8 cm (1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3 1/8 in.)
Overall - Storage: 1.4 x 6.5 x 8.3 cm (9/16 x 2 9/16 x 3 1/4 in.)
DescriptionFaded black and red coloring. Outer faces are yellowed, especially II. Corner of I is reconstructed. Compass viewing-hole in I, no slot for wind vane in II. Brass wire clasps on I and II, two bun feet on IIb. Compass needle and glass missing, brass ring intact.
Ia Wind rose with 16 points, scale numbered 1 to 32 (east = 32), 7 directions labeled in German, cardinal directions labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Indicator missing. Inscriptions "WEG WEISER" [path finder] and "CAMPASSVS" [compass/portable sundial]. Small decorative stamps in corners. Edges bordered by a triple and single-lined "frame."
Ib Pin gnomon dial labeled 8-16 in red numerals, inscribed "TAG LENG" [length of the day], and marked with zodiacal symbols. Vertical dial labeled VII-XII-V in Gothic-style red numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Decoration includes six-pointed star and a crescent moon at center. Triple- and quadruple-lined border.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 47.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Compass bowl contains maker's mark (crowned snake) twice. Cardinal points labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Magnetic declination indicated for 7° east (with a fleur-de-lys) and 18° west (with a line) of north. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours labeled 9-22 in red numerals inscribed "WELSCH VR" [foreign hours]. Small decorations in corners. Double- and triple-lined border.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle labeled "NACHT VHR" [night clock]. Brass disc.
Ia Wind rose with 16 points, scale numbered 1 to 32 (east = 32), 7 directions labeled in German, cardinal directions labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Indicator missing. Inscriptions "WEG WEISER" [path finder] and "CAMPASSVS" [compass/portable sundial]. Small decorative stamps in corners. Edges bordered by a triple and single-lined "frame."
Ib Pin gnomon dial labeled 8-16 in red numerals, inscribed "TAG LENG" [length of the day], and marked with zodiacal symbols. Vertical dial labeled VII-XII-V in Gothic-style red numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Decoration includes six-pointed star and a crescent moon at center. Triple- and quadruple-lined border.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 47.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Compass bowl contains maker's mark (crowned snake) twice. Cardinal points labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Magnetic declination indicated for 7° east (with a fleur-de-lys) and 18° west (with a line) of north. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours labeled 9-22 in red numerals inscribed "WELSCH VR" [foreign hours]. Small decorations in corners. Double- and triple-lined border.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle labeled "NACHT VHR" [night clock]. Brass disc.
Signedon 2b: T [crowned snake, lying on side] D
Curatorial RemarksLloyd5
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (no. 121); Frederik Casparus Wieder, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 1928; D. P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1959; gift to CHSI, ca. 1987.
Published ReferencesSteven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570-1750 (Cambridge: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, 1992), cat. no. 5.