Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
321 of 520
Sorted by:


Horizontal Dial
Signed by Ulrich Schniep
Dated 1572; Munich
Gilt brass and silver; 59 x 46 x 10 mm

This instrument includes a horizontal string gnomon sundial, a lunar and horary volvelle and a table giving the length of the day throughout the year.

The sundial was originally made for use in latitude 46? but appears to have been later adapted for latitude 441/2?. Not only does the hour plate seem to be more recent than the 16th century but the compass bowl has two quite different indications of compass variation.

Ulrich Schniep's instruments usually record his name in full and give Munich as their place of manufacture. Perhaps for reasons of space, this example only finds room for a brief initialled inscription '[star] VS [star] 1572 [star]'.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 44205

© Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. 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=61766