Chalice Dial by Bartholomaeus Madauer
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1554
This chalice dial, held by the British Museum (inventory MLA 1896,12-14.1), is a gilt brass altitude dial dated 1554. Measuring 105 mm in diameter, the instrument was crafted by Bartholomaeus Madauer, abbot of Aldersbach.
It functions by rotating the chalice until the shadow of a central pin gnomon falls across an inscribed inner surface. This surface features a date scale utilizing zodiacal signs, an hour scale numbered I to VIII and IIII to XII, and a vertical scale for solar altitude ranging from 0 to 65 degrees. The dial is calibrated for a latitude of 48 degrees. The object is recognized as the earliest extant example of its type, representing a group of chalice dials originating in southern Germany.
The central gnomon is reported to be a replacement, and the joint between the chalice cup and foot is embellished with a raised acanthus-leaf ornament.
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
- 1554
- Type
- Chalice dial
- Maker
- Bartholomaeus Madauer
- Status
- Earliest recorded chalice dial
- Latitude
- 48 degrees
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Inscription
- BARTHOLOMEUS ABBAS ALDERPACENSIS FACIEBAT ANNO MDLIIII
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Bartholomaeus Madauer
Design
- Visible features
- • Inner surface engraved with hour and altitude scales • Acanthus-leaf decoration at the junction of cup and foot • Central gnomon present within the cup • Zodiacal symbols inscribed in pairs for date tracking
- Function and Operation
- The instrument operates as an altitude dial, specifically calibrated for 48 degrees latitude. Users determine the time by aligning the shadow of a central pin gnomon against the zodiacal signs engraved on the inner surface, which account for seasonal shifts in solar altitude throughout the year. Beyond determining the time in equal hours, the chalice allows for the measurement of solar altitude. By rotating the vessel until the shadow cast by the tip of the gnomon aligns with the vertical altitude scale, the user can observe the current solar angle.
- Construction and Design
- The chalice dial is constructed from gilt brass with a total diameter of 105 mm. The exterior of the cup is plain, maintaining a minimalist appearance, while the transition between the cup and the foot is detailed with a raised acanthus-leaf decorative element. The internal space of the cup serves as the primary functional surface. It is densely engraved with a complex system of scales required for altitude and timekeeping. These include an hour scale divided into eight curved lines and a specialized vertical scale measuring solar altitude from 0 to 65 degrees, divided by 5-degree increments.
- Signatures and Attribution
- The dial carries a prominent cartouche engraved on the inner surface of the cup. This inscription identifies the maker as Bartholomaeus Madauer, the Abbot of Aldersbach, and includes the date of manufacture, 1554. An additional inscription around the bottom of the interior identifies the latitude setting for the device. The item is catalogued under registration number MLA 1896,12-14.1 at the British Museum. Historical records indicate that Madauer was active between 1552 and 1579, and the museum identifies this object as the earliest known example of this specific dial type.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- MLA 1896,12-14.1
- 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: The central gnomon is noted as a replacement
- Research required: The original function of the object as a dial is based on the inscribed scales and geometry