Horizontal Dial, Later 16th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Later 16th century
This horizontal dial is a compact instrument constructed of gilt and silvered brass, measuring 47 x 46 x 15 mm. The device features a square-section box with a hinged cover leaf secured by a clasp.
The instrument is unsigned and undated. Its primary functions include timekeeping via a silvered horizontal dial plate with a folding, decorated gnomon, and astronomical calculation through multiple integrated volvelles. The outer lid face houses a lunar volvelle, an aspectarium for planetary relations, and hour scales. The inner lid face contains a wind rose with eight classical winds identified by Italian names, alongside sixteen directions and scrollwork engraving.
The base of the instrument incorporates an additional inset volvelle designed for converting between equal and Italian hours, which is marked 'Horae Ab Occasu Solis'. A central magnetic compass with a 22 mm diameter bowl is inset beneath the gnomon, marked for westward variation.
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
- Type
- Italian horizontal dial
- Material
- Gilt and silvered brass
- Dimensions
- 47 x 46 x 15 mm
- Provenance
- Billmeir Collection
- Date estimate
- Later 16th century
- Place recorded
- Italy
- Compass diameter
- 22 mm
Design
- Dial and Compass
- The main box houses the horizontal dial plate, which is finished in silver and engraved with hatched corner patterns. The hour scale is divided into 1/2 and 1/4 hour increments. Centered on the dial plate is a 22 mm diameter compass bowl. The compass is marked with cardinal directions labeled 'N', 'OR', 'S', and 'OC'. It is specifically configured to account for westward magnetic variation. The gnomon is decorated and hinged, allowing it to fold over the compass bowl when the instrument is closed.
- Visible features
- • Folding gnomon with decorative cutout profile • Compass bowl marked for westward variation • Gilt and silvered brass construction with scrollwork engraving
- Functional Volvelles
- The instrument includes an additional volvelle on the underside of the base. This component allows for the conversion between equal hours and Italian hours, with the latter scale designated as 'Horae Ab Occasu Solis' and ranging from 10 to 24. This base volvelle also includes a cut-away pointer that reveals a scale showing the length of the day. The entire underside is decorated with the same engraved scrollwork found on other parts of the instrument, maintaining stylistic consistency.
- Construction and Exterior
- The instrument is a square-section horizontal dial crafted from gilt and silvered brass. Its exterior is marked by simple rectangular line engraving along the sides of the box. A single cover leaf is hinged to the main body and held closed by a functional clasp. The lid's outer face displays a lunar volvelle and an aspectarium, featuring a graphical representation of the moon's phases. The corners of the face are finished with line engraving, while the inner surface of the lid features a detailed wind rose, complete with the eight classical winds and sixteen directions, all rendered within engraved scrollwork.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 51587
- 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: Origin is attributed to Italy based on the Italian wind names, though German instruments of the period also used this convention
- Research required: Maker and date are unknown, with attribution based on general stylistic analysis of the late 16th century