rectangular ivory diptych sundial
Date: 1630
Inventory Number: 7554
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Conrad Karner (1571 - 1632)
Collector: Joseph Drecker (1853 - 1931)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
closed: 1.1 x 5.3 x 8.2 cm (7/16 x 2 1/16 x 3 1/4 in.)
Accessories: On 6/22/98 an envelope with a piece to this dial was found in 1V-2b. However, on the envelope it said "wrong dial," with no other information. JR
DescriptionBlack and red coloring. Both tablets slightly warped (curved). Compass viewing-hole in I, slot with brass clasp for wind vane in side of ll. Brass wire clasps on I and II, hanging loop and four bun feet on II, one foot on I. Compass needle and glass missing. Metal ring intact.
la Wind rose with 32 points labeled or abbreviated in German, numbered 1-32 beginning at east, index and wind vane missing. Foliate decoration.
Ib Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in black numerals and 6-12-6 in red numerals. Decorated with a sun-face and several decorative stamps.
Ila Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 47.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours (labeled 9-23 in red numerals) and Babylonian hours (labeled 1-15 in black numerals). Compass bowl with maker's mark twice (hunting horn). Cardinal directions given in compass bowl as SEPT, ORIE, MERI, and OCCI. Magnetic declination 4 ° east of north. Several decorative stamps. Signed "CONRAD KANNER" and dated 1630 near bottom.
llb Standard German lunar volvelle, brass disc missing. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner) and 1-29 (outer). Two maker's marks (hunting horns) appear again near hinge. Foliate decoration. Numbered 2 in red ink near center, and again on a modern paper label near the hinge.
The top tablet is thinner than the bottom one.
la Wind rose with 32 points labeled or abbreviated in German, numbered 1-32 beginning at east, index and wind vane missing. Foliate decoration.
Ib Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in black numerals and 6-12-6 in red numerals. Decorated with a sun-face and several decorative stamps.
Ila Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 47.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals. Pin gnomon dial for Italian hours (labeled 9-23 in red numerals) and Babylonian hours (labeled 1-15 in black numerals). Compass bowl with maker's mark twice (hunting horn). Cardinal directions given in compass bowl as SEPT, ORIE, MERI, and OCCI. Magnetic declination 4 ° east of north. Several decorative stamps. Signed "CONRAD KANNER" and dated 1630 near bottom.
llb Standard German lunar volvelle, brass disc missing. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner) and 1-29 (outer). Two maker's marks (hunting horns) appear again near hinge. Foliate decoration. Numbered 2 in red ink near center, and again on a modern paper label near the hinge.
The top tablet is thinner than the bottom one.
Signedon 2a: CONRAD KANNER
on 2a: 16 30
on 2a: 16 30
FunctionIndicates local solar time (both day and night), magnetic north and wind direction.
Curatorial RemarksLloyd30. Envelope with loose (but possibly wrong) parts is stored in cabinet with sundial.
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (inv. no. 133); Frederik Casparus Wieder, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 1928; David 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. 30.