rectangular ivory diptych sundial
Date: 1620-1645
Inventory Number: 7581
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:
closed: 1.4 x 8.2 x 6 cm (9/16 x 3 1/4 x 2 3/8 in.)
DescriptionFaded black, red, and green coloring. Hinged lengthwise. Tablet IIb is badly discolored (burned). Compass viewing-hole in I, no slot for wind vane in II. Brass wire clasps on I and II, four bun feet on Ia and IIb. Compass needle intact and glass missing, brass ring intact. Edges of each tablet bordered by a "frame" that includes alternating circles and stars.
Ia Wind vane with scale of 1 to 32 (east = 32), 8 directions labeled in German, cardinal directions labeled S, OR, M, and OC. Brass dagger indicator. Foliate decoration.
Ib Circular vertical dial, labeled VII-XII-V in Gothic-style black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Decoration includes six-pointed star surrounded by 8 small star stamps, a crescent moon, and engraved foliage.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 45°, 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 directions labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Magnetic declination indicated at 4° east (fleur-de-lys) and 20° west (faintly stratched line) of north. Foliate decoration.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle, brass disc missing. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner) and 0-29 (outer). Engravings of pomegranates and foliage.
Ia Wind vane with scale of 1 to 32 (east = 32), 8 directions labeled in German, cardinal directions labeled S, OR, M, and OC. Brass dagger indicator. Foliate decoration.
Ib Circular vertical dial, labeled VII-XII-V in Gothic-style black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Decoration includes six-pointed star surrounded by 8 small star stamps, a crescent moon, and engraved foliage.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 45°, 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 directions labeled S, ORIENS, M, and OCCIDENS. Magnetic declination indicated at 4° east (fleur-de-lys) and 20° west (faintly stratched line) of north. Foliate decoration.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle, brass disc missing. Scales labeled 1-12 twice (inner) and 0-29 (outer). Engravings of pomegranates and foliage.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksLloyd6
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (no. 119); 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. 6.