Equinoctial Dial, 1584
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1584
This round equinoctial dial, crafted from gilt brass, measures 50 mm in diameter and dates to 1584. It is unsigned and represents an instrument of German manufacture.
The dial features a folding gnomon and a brass arm for adjusting latitude, with an hour circle numbered twice from 1 to 12. The internal compartment houses a compass marked with 32 directions and an equal scale for latitudes ranging from 30 to 60. The lid's interior contains a list of various cities alongside their respective latitudes. The exterior of the lid displays an engraved coat-of-arms framed in foliage, while the edge of the instrument bears the production date and a Greek inscription.
The bottom of the box is decorated with a shield-enclosed face and a German verse concerning the compass. The instrument is held by the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford.
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
- 1584
- Type
- German equinoctial dial
- Origin
- German
- Diameter
- 50 mm
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Inscription
- German verse on the bottom of the box
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Compass directions
- 32 directions
Design
- Visible features
- • Internal lid features a table of cities with their corresponding latitudes • Folding gnomon with an adjustable latitude arm • Compass dial marked with 32 directions • Exterior base engraved with a face inside a shield
- Construction and Function
- The equinoctial dial is constructed from gilt brass and is circular, measuring 50 mm in diameter. It is designed with a hinged lid that, when open, reveals a horizontal base containing an integrated compass. The compass features 32 directions, with the primary points labeled in Latin as 'Septen', 'Oriens', 'Meridie', and 'Occidens'. An internal latitude scale, marked from 30 to 60, allows for positional adjustment. The time-telling mechanism includes an hour ring calibrated from 1 to 12, repeated twice, which works in conjunction with a central folding gnomon. A brass arm is included to facilitate the adjustment of the instrument to the specific latitude of the user's location. The inner surface of the lid serves a practical function as a gazetteer, presenting a tabular list of cities paired with their specific geographic latitudes for easy reference during travel.
- Engraving and Inscriptions
- The exterior of the instrument is decorated with various engravings. The lid displays a coat-of-arms set within a foliage motif. On the outer edge of the dial, the year 1584 is inscribed alongside a Greek phrase, which is a wish for a long life. The source notes that the engraving style of this Greek text differs from the other inscriptions found on the instrument. The base of the casing is also decorated, featuring an engraved face enclosed within a shield design.
- Provenance and Identification
- This instrument is currently held in the collection of the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, identified by the inventory number 53948. The piece is classified as unsigned, as no maker's name or mark is present on the instrument. The date and origin of the dial are attributed to 1584 and Germany, respectively, based on the historical documentation provided by the museum. While the museum maintains the instrument as a single unit, the variation in the engraving of the Greek inscription compared to the rest of the device suggests the possibility that the text might have been added or modified subsequent to the original production of the dial. No further information regarding previous ownership or specific provenance is stated in the record.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 53948
- 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 Greek inscription's engraving style appears distinct from the rest of the instrument
- Research required: The provenance of the instrument is not detailed in the source provided