Horizontal Dial by Hans Graf
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1563
This 1563 horizontal dial, attributed to maker Hans Graf of Gundhalbing, is a circular block of wood measuring 140 mm in diameter. It is constructed from wood with decorative ivory insets and features an applied silver ring engraved with hours ranging from IIII to XII to VIII.
The XII numeral is smaller in scale than the others. The central portion of the block contains two integrated compasses marked with the cardinal points 'SE', 'OR', 'ME', and 'OC' in alternating red and black lettering. The surface of the wood block is further adorned with ivory flower insets and a signature scrollwork containing the maker's name, the date, and the initials 'IM' and 'IAR'. A circular well and square perforation in the center of the block indicate its original function as a component within a larger miner's surveying set, though the rest of the equipment is currently missing.
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
- 1563
- Type
- Horizontal dial
- Maker
- Hans Graf
- Location
- British Museum, London
- Dimensions
- 140 mm diameter
- Provenance
- Purchased 1862
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Hans Graf
- Registration Number
- MLA 1862, 8-9.3
Design
- Visible features
- • Hours on silver ring are engraved IIII to XII to VIII. • Two compasses are set into the central wooden block. • Cardinal points are abbreviated SE, OR, ME, OC in red and black. • Ivory floral insets decorate the wooden surfaces.
- Historical Context
- While the specific function of the complete set is implied by the name, the individual dial is the only portion currently held by the British Museum. The instrument's history is documented by its inclusion in the 1981 catalog authored by F. A. B. Ward regarding European scientific instruments in the museum's Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities. The piece was officially acquired by the museum in 1862. Currently, there is no further information regarding the remainder of the survey set, leaving the broader assembly of the tool incomplete in the museum's collection.
- Compasses and Markings
- The central area of the wooden block features two integrated compasses, which are recessed into the structure. The cardinal points are represented by abbreviations, specifically 'SE', 'OR', 'ME', and 'OC'. These letters are applied in alternating red and black colors, providing a visual distinction on the compass dials. These elements serve as the primary directional reference points for the instrument. Beyond the compasses, the object bears a formal signature on the lower portion of the wooden block. It is inscribed 'HANS GRAF ZV GVNDHALBING' within scrollwork, accompanied by the year 1563 and the initials 'IM' and 'IAR'. This inscription serves as the primary identification for both the maker and the dating of the artifact.
- Construction and Design
- The horizontal dial is crafted from a circular block of wood, meticulously detailed with ivory insets that manifest as floral motifs across the instrument's surface. The timekeeping component consists of an applied silver ring encircling the wood block, upon which the hours are engraved in Roman numerals. Specifically, the hour sequence is marked from IIII to XII and continues to VIII, with the XII numeral distinctively smaller than the surrounding digits. Four paired piercings are positioned above the XII numeral, potentially intended for securing the instrument to additional equipment. The center of the dial block contains a circular well and a square perforation, which facilitate its attachment to the components of a miner's survey set. The overall assembly of wood and silver reveals the integrated nature of the dial within a larger surveying tool kit.
Identification
- Reference
- MLA 1862, 8-9.3
- 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 function of the four paired piercings above the XII numeral remains speculative.
- Research required: The current whereabouts of the rest of the original miner's surveying set are unknown.