Bloud-type magnetic azimuth, ivory diptych sundial
Date: mid 17th-late 17th Century
Inventory Number: 7386
Classification: Sundial
Dimensions:closed: 1.5 x 6.5 x 7.8 cm (9/16 x 2 9/16 x 3 1/16 in.)
DescriptionSteven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570-1750 (Cambridge: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, 1992), cat. no. 70.
Bloud-type magnetic azimuth, ivory diptych sundial
Maker: French
mid 17th-late 17th Century
closed: 1.5 x 6.5 x 7.8 cm (9/16 x 2 9/16 x 3 1/16 in.)
Object number: 7386
Steven A. Lloyd, Ivory Diptych Sundials, 1570-1750 (Cambridge: Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments, 1992), cat. no. 70.
Very faded black coloring. Brass arm at right side ofIla to set angle for equinoctial dial. All other metal parts except the brass hinges and part of one silver clasp are miss- ing. A metal gnomon rod appears to be permanently wedged in its recess in the left side ofll. Tablet I slightly warped. Num- bered 386 in black ink along right outer edge. Faint double-lined border on outer edges of! and II.
la Double- and single-lined border with swirling ornamentation along edges. Cir- cular equinoctial dial labeled 1-12 twice for use in spring and summer months; central polar dial labeled 8-12-4. Typical Dieppe "pecked" ornamentation along edges of polar dial. Central metal rivet with hole for pin gnomon.
lb Double- and single-lined border with simple poppy-flower ornamentation in four corners. Double- and single-lined circles surround recess for volvelle (missing). Latitude scale along right side from 0° to 80° to set angle for upper tablet.
Ila Horizontal dial with a single hour scale for approximate latitude 46.5°, labeled 5-12-7. Double- and single-lined border with simple poppy-flower motif in four corners. Compass bowl is empty.
llb Double- and single-lined border with ornamentation along the edges. Double- and single-lined circles surround recess for volvelle (missing).