Epact: Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Tobias Volckmer

Tobias Volckmer was a Brunswick-born goldsmith and instrument maker who is first recorded in the archives of Salzburg in 1586. In 1594 he was appointed as mathematician and goldsmith to the court of the Dukes of Bavaria in Munich.

From the evidence of his surviving instruments (more than twenty are known), Volckmer was making instruments from as early as 1582. The output of his workshop included astrolabes, sundials, quadrants, miner's and gunner's instruments. He also made instruments and clocks for the Bavarian duke Maximilian. His latest dated instrument is from 1624. His son Tobias Volckmer (the Younger) helped his father with his surveys and also made some instruments. Tobias Volckmer died in (or shortly after) 1629.

For instruments by Tobias Volckmer, see:

Astrolabe, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1594 (London, BM)

Astronomical Compendium, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1584 (Oxford, MHS)

Astronomical Compendium, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1588 (London, BM)

Quadrant, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1609 (London, BM)

Quadrant, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1608 (Firenze, IMSS)

Surveying Instrument, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1583 (London, BM)

Surveying Instrument, Signed by Tobias Volckmer, Brunswick, Dated 1612 (Oxford, MHS)

References:

E. Zinner, Deutsche und Niederl?ndische astronomische Instrumente des 11. bis 18. Jahrhunderts (2nd ed., Munich, 1967), pp. 574-7, and p. 688.

Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe