Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
510 of 520
Sorted by:


Vertical Dial
Unsigned
16th century; German
Gilt brass; 100 mm in height

This sundial is in the shape of a column with a quadrilateral cross-section. It has a dome-shaped lid which, when opened, can be seen to contain a small compass. The column is provided with a plumb-line which allows the instrument to be kept in a vertical position. The faces of the column bear the gnomons which project their shadows on the hour lines inscribed on its surface.

The instrument is calibrated for a latitude of 48? (Munich, Vienna), suggesting that it originated in the German lands.

Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze
Inventory no. 2534

© Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Firenze. All rights reserved. Information and images provided here may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the museum.

Basic URL: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=42807