Crucifix Dial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1592
This brass crucifix dial, dated 1592 and of French origin, is a polyhedral instrument measuring 112 x 24 x 82 mm. Held by the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, the instrument is unsigned.
Its construction features a central cross form with elaborate engraved decorations, including arabesques and foliate patterns. The dial incorporates multiple timekeeping functions, including an integrated compass and a central equinoctial dial, though the latter currently lacks its gnomon. The surface is heavily inscribed with Latin phrases, cardinal directions, and specific geographical references, such as the latitude for Senlis.
The object is hinged, allowing it to be closed when not in use. This piece serves as a complex example of sixteenth-century portable timekeeping, demonstrating a combination of devotional form and functional scientific design through its various specialized markings, ranging from hour lines to latitude scales.
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
- 1592
- Type
- French crucifix dial
- Origin
- France
- Dimensions
- 112 x 24 x 82 mm
- Inscription
- LAVREA CHRISTO
- Place recorded
- France
- Latitude reference
- Senlis
Design
- Visible features
- • Features engraved Latin inscriptions on cross arms • Contains a small integrated compass • Equinoctial dial central hole is present but gnomon is missing • Cardinal points decorated with celestial and animal figures
- Timekeeping Functions
- The dial serves as a multifunctional scientific instrument. It contains a compass to orient the device correctly relative to magnetic north, and an unequal latitude scale marked from 0 to 90 degrees. The specific mention of 'LAT SILVAN 49' aligns the latitude setting with Senlis, France. The hour lines provided include designations for western, meridian, polar, and eastern orientations. An equinoctial dial is located at the center of the cross face. While the markings and the central mounting hole remain visible, the original gnomon is absent, rendering this specific component non-functional in its current state. The inscriptions on the arms of the cross emphasize its solar timekeeping purpose through verses such as 'here the bright Apollo gives the hours'.
- Inscriptions and Markings
- The surface is heavily annotated with Latin inscriptions that contribute to both the devotional appearance and the functional identity of the object. The Latin text 'LAVREA CHRISTO' appears alongside the foliage decoration on one side of the cross. Further textual engravings on the arms include 'HIC DABIT HORAM CLARVS APOLLO' and 'NVBE FVGATA SPLENDEAT AETHER', which translate to observations regarding the sun's role in timekeeping. The date 1592 is engraved prominently below the northern cardinal point indicator. These markings are part of a systematic layout of the instrument's components, which also include specific abbreviations for the cardinal points. The inclusion of these dates and Latin phrases provides the primary historical markers for the object.
- Construction and Decoration
- The crucifix dial is crafted from brass and maintains a structural form derived from a cross. The faces of the object are decorated with detailed engraved motifs, including arabesques and foliate designs. These decorative elements frame the various timekeeping inscriptions and indicators located across the surfaces of the cross arms and the main plate. The instrument incorporates a series of functional marks that facilitate its use as a sundial. Cardinal directions are engraved with symbolic figures, including a cock for the occident, a dog for the orient, and a combination of solar, lunar, and stellar imagery for the meridian. The construction includes closure hooks on the edges, enabling the object to be secured when inactive.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 53446
- 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 gnomon for the equinoctial dial is missing
- Research required: Latitude scale is partially obscured or potentially marked [0?]