Horizontal Pin Gnomon Dial by Carlo Plato
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1585
This circular horizontal pin gnomon dial is crafted from brass and measures 89 mm in diameter. It is housed within a pasteboard case, finished with gold-tooled leather and lined with silk.
The dial features a central, pivoted compass designed for use on both sides of the disc. One side is engraved with wind names in Latin and cardinal points, while the opposite side displays wind names in Italian. Both faces of the instrument feature pin gnomon dials calibrated for Italian hours, marked from 9 to 23. The instrument bears inscriptions specifying the latitude and its origin in Rome in 1585. While unsigned, the dial is attributed to the Roman maker Carlo Plato, based on stylistic comparison with existing instruments, such as Epact inventory number 75343, which share identical construction characteristics and engraving styles.
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
- Case
- Pasteboard covered in gold-tooled leather
- Date
- 1585
- Type
- Italian horizontal dial
- Compass
- Pivoted 8-direction compass
- Diameter
- 89 mm
- Material
- Brass
- Place recorded
- Rome
- Place of origin
- Rome
- Maker attribution
- Carlo Plato
- Maker / attribution
- Carlo Plato
Design
- Visible features
- • The dial includes a pivoted compass with eight directional markings. • The case exterior features intricate gold-tooled patterns with floral and star motifs. • Both sides of the brass disc are engraved with wind names in distinct languages. • The central pin gnomon is visible on the dial face currently depicted.
- Attribution and History
- Although the dial does not bear a maker's signature, it has been attributed to the Roman instrument maker Carlo Plato. This attribution is derived from direct comparative study with other pieces, most notably Epact 75343, which is also held in the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford. The stylistic, structural, and decorative parallels between these instruments support the assertion of a common origin. The history of the piece is anchored within the Epact collection, which catalogued and documented scientific instruments across Europe.
- Construction and Design
- The dial is a circular, brass instrument measuring 89 mm in diameter, contained within a protective pasteboard case. The exterior of the case is decorated with gold-tooled leather, and the interior is lined with silk to ensure the preservation of the instrument. The core of the design is a central, pivoted compass, which allows for consistent orientation when using either side of the disc for timekeeping. The device operates as a pin gnomon dial, with markings specifically calibrated to indicate Italian hours. The hours on both sides are marked from 9 to 23. The versatility of the design is further emphasized by the inclusion of wind directions and cardinal points in both Latin and Italian, accommodating different linguistic and navigational contexts within the Italian region.
- Inscriptions and Markings
- The instrument is heavily inscribed, providing both technical data and geographical context. One side of the disc includes the Latin cardinal points and wind names, such as 'MERIDIES' and 'SOLANVS', alongside the inscription 'Latitudo 45 Graduu' and the date '1585'. This side is explicitly associated with Rome. The reverse side of the disc features wind names in Italian, including 'TRAMONTANA', 'LEVANTE', and 'PONENTE'. It also records the inscription 'Romae Anno d{omi}ni 1585 Polus 42 Graduu'. These inscriptions reflect the precise astronomical and cartographic concerns of the period, tying the instrument's function to specific latitudes and the Roman locale.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 49535
- 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 dial is not physically signed by the maker.
- Research required: Attribution to Carlo Plato is based on comparative analysis with other instruments.