Horizontal Dial by Carlo Plato
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1593
This horizontal dial is constructed in the form of a hinged, book-shaped box manufactured from gilt brass. Signed by Carlo Plato and dated 1593, it measures 87 by 113 by 16 mm.
A central, gimbal-mounted compass is incorporated within the interior plate to ensure horizontal alignment. The exterior and interior surfaces of the hinged covers are extensively engraved with theological, philosophical, and religious inscriptions, including Biblical quotations, concentric circles with labels related to knowledge, and various geometrical figures such as a five-pointed star. Two catches secure the lid when not in use.
The object is held in the collection of the British Museum, London.
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
- 1593
- Type
- Italian horizontal dial
- Maker
- Carlo Plato
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Functions
- Italian, Babylonian, common, and unequal hours
- Dimensions
- 87 x 113 x 16 mm
- Place recorded
- Rome
- Maker / attribution
- Carlo Plato
Design
- Visible features
- • The device features a hinged, book-shaped design with decorative inscriptions on the interior and exterior covers. • A central compass with a gimbal-style mounting is situated within a loose, removable brass plate. • Multiple pin gnomon dials for different hour systems and latitudes are engraved on the brass plate. • Side edges of the brass box are engraved with the phrases 'LVCERNA INSTRVMENTALIS' and 'INTELLECTVS DIRECTIVA'.
- Construction and Design
- The object is constructed as a hinged, book-shaped gilt brass case measuring 87 x 113 x 16 mm. The design utilizes a fold-out construction where an internal plate, containing the compass and pin gnomon dials, sits within the body of the 'book'. Two metal catches are employed to keep the lid closed. The surfaces of the object are densely covered with complex, multi-layered engravings. These include six concentric circles on the exterior, a five-pointed star on the interior lid, and various geometrical diagrams. The brass plate itself is intricately marked for different latitudes and hour systems, using a pin gnomon to cast shadows for timekeeping. The inclusion of a gimbal-mounted compass ensures the device remains level during use.
- Inscriptions and Symbolism
- The instrument serves as a repository for theological and philosophical texts alongside its primary function as a horological tool. The outer leaf features a shield with the initials 'IHS' and numerous concentric circles labeled with categories such as 'BONITAS', 'SAPIENTIA', and 'CHAOS'. Biblical references, such as those to Proverbs and the Apocalypse, are engraved alongside scholarly and religious maxims. The interior of the box contains further theological content, including the phrase 'FIGURA DEMONSTRATIVAE' and a circle centered on a triangle inscribed with 'T'. Various celestial and intellectual hierarchies are represented, such as the classification of senses and levels of knowledge. The inscription on the exterior edges refers to the device as an 'INSTRVMENTV SCIENDI', emphasizing its dual role as a scientific instrument and an intellectual guide.
- Provenance and Identification
- The dial is signed 'Carolus Platus F. Romae A<nn>o 1593' on the inner side of the box near the hinge. This identifies it as a work of Carlo Plato, an instrument maker active in Rome in the late 16th century. The object is currently housed in the British Museum. It is officially registered under the number MLA 1922 10-17.1 and was historically documented in F. A. B. Ward's 1981 publication on European scientific instruments.
Identification
- Accession number
- MLA 1922 10-17.1
- 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 exact interpretation of some abbreviated theological Latin inscriptions remains subject to research.
- Research required: The extent of wear or oxidation on the gilt brass surface is not detailed beyond its visible state in the photograph.