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Sun And Moon Dial Unsigned circa 1580; German Brass; 44 mm in diameter
This sun and moon dial has a small compass, covered with mica, hinged to one end of the handle.It has a nocturnal on one side, finely decorated with strapwork, and a dial on the other side. The pierced volvelle has to be adjusted for the moon's age: if it is set to zero, the hour lines read solar time, whereas if the moon's age is set appropriately, they read lunar time. This measure is, however, not very precise, since the gnomon will no longer be parallel to the earth's axis. Some doubts have been raised about the authenticity of this instrument.
British Museum, London Registration no. MLA 1871, 11-15.10
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Basic URL: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=69145 |
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