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Diptych Dial
Signed by Hieronymus Reinmann
Dated 1559; Nuremberg
Ivory and brass; 56 x 90 x 13 mm

The outer side of the upper leaf has a pin gnomon dial (pin missing) for common hours numbered from 5 to 12 to 7 with a sun effigy in the centre and decorative motive in the spandrels. Above it, there is a table with eighteen towns and latitudes.

The inner side of the upper leaf has a vertical pin gnomon dial with Italian hours numbered in red from 14 to 24 and Babylonian hours numbered in green from 1 to 10. Below is a string gnomon dial (string missing) for common hours numbered 6 to 12 to 6, with at the centre the inscription 'AN NO 15 59' in red with green stars. Below is a vertical string gnomon dial (string missing) with common hours numbered from 5 to 12 to 7. At the bottom of the leaf is the signature 'IERONIMVS REINMAN NORENBERGE FACIEBAT'. On the left side is a decorative geometrical motif and on the right side is an unequal scale of latitudes from [0?] to 70? by 2?, numbered by 10? with stars on the 5?.

The inner part of the lower leaf has a string gnomon dial with common hours numbered from 4 to 12 to 8. The compass has eight wind names. The pin, needle, ring and glass are all missing. The spandrel spaces on the leaf are inscribed 'OCCASVS', 'SEPTE NTRIO', 'ORTVS'. Below is a pin gnomon dial for Italian hours numbered in red from 10 to 23 and Babylonian hours numbered in green from 1 to 15. At the bottom of the pin the inscription explains '[star] HORE [star] AB [star] HORTV [star] ET [star] OCCASV'. On the right is a brass arm for adjusting the latitude and by the hinge is punched an inscription 'A A'. On the bottom edge of the lower leaf is a compartment for stowing the pin, and on the outer side of the leaf is written 'N 77' in black ink.

See P. Gouk, The Ivory Sundials of Nuremberg 1500-1700 (Cambridge, 1988).

Ilaria Meliconi

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 81867

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