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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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