Horizontal Dial by Ulrich Schniep
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1572
This horizontal dial, crafted from gilt brass, was made by Ulrich Schniep in Munich in 1572. Measuring 108 x 145 x 8 mm, the instrument features a central compass with cardinal points and magnetic deviation markings.
It incorporates a pin gnomon dial designed for a 45-degree latitude, featuring Italian hours and a sun effigy. Additionally, it contains a string gnomon dial adjustable for three unspecified latitudes via holes in the folding plummet-holder, which is decorated with engraved twin dragons. The dial plate includes a comprehensive calendar marked with zodiacal signs, saint’s days, holy days, and equinoctial and solstitial inscriptions.
A bead on the string allows for reading the length of the day and night using scales engraved at the centre of the calendar. The maker's signature and date are inscribed at the bottom edge. The object is part of the collection at the British Museum, formerly held by Octavius Morgan.
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
- German horizontal dial
- Maker
- Ulrich Schniep
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Signature
- VLRICUS SC{H}NIEP DE MONACHI FECIT ANNO [star] 1572 [star]
- Dimensions
- 108 x 145 x 8 mm
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Ulrich Schniep
- Place of manufacture
- Munich
Design
- Visible features
- • Folding plummet-holder engraved with twin dragons • Compass with marked cardinal points and magnetic deviation • Calendar displaying zodiacal signs and list of saints' days • Bead on the string for indicating day and night duration
- Construction and Design
- The horizontal dial is constructed from a rectangular gilt brass plate. It features a central compass that identifies cardinal points and indicates magnetic deviation. The folding plummet-holder, which supports the string gnomon, is detailed with engravings of twin dragons on both sides and contains three distinct holes for adjusting the string to varying latitudes. The dial plate surface accommodates two distinct timekeeping systems. A pin gnomon dial with a folding pin indicates Italian hours, while a string gnomon dial marks common hours. The instrument also integrates a calendar section displaying zodiacal signs, saint's days, and seasonal markers, including solstices and equinoxes, surrounded by engraved scrollwork.
- Provenance and Condition
- The instrument was formerly in the collection of Octavius Morgan before being bequeathed to the British Museum. It is documented in F. A. B. Ward's catalogue of European scientific instruments held within the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities. Regarding the physical state of the dial, the museum reports that the glass covering the compass is cracked. The dial plate preserves its original engraving, including the signature and date, although secondary markings are present on the length-of-day scales.
- Calendar and Timekeeping Functions
- The calendar display is centrally located on the plate and features engraved figures of the zodiacal signs. It includes two sets of saint's and holy days to aid in date identification. Additionally, there are scales designated for 'QVANTITAS NOCTI' and 'QVANTITAS DIEI', which function in conjunction with a bead on the string gnomon to indicate the changing lengths of day and night throughout the year. The length-of-day indications have been re-engraved, though original markings remain visible. The dial also features specific inscriptions related to the sun's position, including 'SOLSTICIVM ESTIVALE', 'SOLSTICIVM HI{E}MALE', and 'AEQVATOR DIEI', alongside the signature and date of the maker at the base of the plate.
Identification
- Inventory number
- MLA 1888, 12-1.300
- 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 glass over the compass is described as cracked.
- Research required: The exact latitudes for the three-hole adjustment on the plummet-holder are not specified.