Astronomical Compendium, 16th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
16th century
This brass astronomical compendium, measuring 233 mm along the side, is attributed to 16th-century Florentine makers. The device comprises three hinged brass leaves featuring integrated sundials.
The lid displays the relief-engraved Medicean coat of arms and houses a central aperture for sunlight passage. Internal engravings on the lid provide tables for semi-diurnal arcs corresponding to the latitudes of Florence and Pisa. The central plate supports a dual 24-hour scale system, allowing for the conversion between standard and Italian hours. The base contains an unfinished wind-rose, though the central compass and components of the wind-rose are missing.
The back of the base is equipped with four feet and a threaded cylinder for mounting onto a tripod. While unsigned, the instrument is identified as Florentine based on the Medicean coat of arms and the specific engraving style. Some internal components, including certain wing nuts, are noted as missing or replaced.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 16th century
- Type
- Italian astronomical compendium
- Material
- Brass
- Dimensions
- 233 mm side
- Place recorded
- Italy
- Design features
- Medicean coat of arms
- Place of origin
- Florence, Italy
- Latitudes provided
- Florence (43° 45') and Pisa (43° 28')
Design
- Visible features
- • Medicean coat of arms on the exterior lid • Dual 24-hour scale system for time conversion • Unfinished 32-point wind-rose on the base plate • Threaded screw cylinder on the base for tripod mounting
- Base and Mounting
- The base of the device contains an unfinished wind-rose; while 32 points are indicated, only the Latin names for the four cardinal points are engraved. A central recessed space previously housing a compass is now filled with a plain metal disc incised with the letters 'F L' and 'd'. The base is supported by four bun-style feet at the corners. For fieldwork or observation, the reverse side of the plate features a heavy nut and screw; the interior of this cylinder is threaded to allow the instrument to be mounted securely onto a tripod or staff head.
- Construction and Design
- The astronomical compendium is constructed from brass and measures 233 mm along its side. It is designed with three hinged leaves. The exterior lid features a double-stepped frame, four decorative corner bosses, and an applied plaque bearing the Medici arms, which includes six spheres in relief. The inner face of this lid is engraved with tables documenting the length of a half-day throughout the year for Pisa and Florence, including zodiacal indicators. The central plate features a circular twenty-four hour scale, with an additional nested 24-hour scale that rotates to facilitate the conversion of standard equal hours to Italian hours. A string gnomon is attached between cursors on the lid and the base plate, passing through the central plate to function as a vertical string-gnomon dial.
- Provenance and Attribution
- The instrument is held at the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence under inventory number 2497. It is unsigned, though it is attributed to 16th-century Florentine makers. This attribution is based on the presence of the Medicean coat of arms and the specific style of the engraving and pointing found on the brass leaves. The object shows evidence of past modification and loss of components. A wing nut associated with the cursor strip is missing and has been replaced with a modern component. Additionally, the compass and central portions of the wind-rose are missing, with only a makeshift metal disc remaining in the center.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 2497
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Unsigned, though attributed to 16th-century Florence
- Research required: Exact identity of the maker remains unverified