Horizontal Sundial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1453
This is a horizontal string gnomon dial crafted from gilt brass, measuring 59 by 80 by 5 millimeters. The dial plate features a shield-like geometry with engraved hour lines ranging from 4:30 to 12 and back to 7:30, with subdivisions marked by dots.
It incorporates a central compass with magnetic deviation indicated, surrounded by abbreviated cardinal points on the plate surface. A folding arm, used to support the missing string gnomon, is decorated with a central coat-of-arms and displays the date 1453. Two male figures holding a shield are positioned above the compass assembly. This instrument belongs to a documented group of early portable dials often associated with the work of Georg Peuerbach or Regiomontanus, although the authenticity of these specific pieces remains a subject of academic discussion.
It was previously part of the Spitzer Collection and is now held by the British Museum.
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
- 1453
- Type
- Horizontal dial
- Design
- Shield-shaped plate
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Provenance
- Spitzer Collection
- Gnomon type
- String gnomon
- Place recorded
- Austria
- Cardinal points
- S, OR, M, OC
Design
- Visible features
- • Shield-shaped gilt brass plate • Folding gnomon arm with 1453 date • Engraved hour lines with half-hour intervals • Compass integrated into the dial plate
- Features and Figures
- A decorative element consisting of two male figures holding a shield is situated directly above the compass housing. This sculptural detail is integrated into the gilt brass plate design. The string gnomon, which historically functioned as the shadow-casting component, is currently missing from the instrument. Despite this absence, the structural remnants of the support arm confirm the original configuration of the device. The dating of the instrument is established by the '1453' inscription found directly on the folding arm. The magnetic deviation is noted within the compass area, indicating a function designed for navigational or orientation-based timekeeping. The total size of the instrument is consistent with its classification as a portable device, measuring 59 by 80 by 5 millimeters.
- Dial Plate and Geometry
- The instrument features a shield-shaped gilt brass plate. The primary dial surface is engraved with hour lines numbered individually, extending from 4:30 to 12 and down to 7:30. These markers are further divided into half-hour segments indicated by small dots. The central area contains a compass set directly into the plate, with the four cardinal directions denoted by the abbreviations 'S', 'OR', 'M', and 'OC'. The assembly is supported by a hinged, folding arm used for the string gnomon. This arm is embellished with a coat-of-arms located at its center. A mechanical catch on the reverse side of the arm allows it to remain secured in a folded position when the instrument is not in active use. The underside or reverse of the main plate is plain and unengraved.
- Origins and Scholarly Debate
- This object is categorized as one of a group of instruments sharing similar design characteristics, though variations exist between individual examples. Historical research has proposed links to the work of Georg Peuerbach and his pupil Regiomontanus. If authentic, these pieces would represent the earliest known examples of portable dials that integrate both a compass and a polar gnomon mechanism. However, the provenance and production period are subject to academic scrutiny. Certain scholars have raised doubts regarding the authenticity of this specific family of dials. The instrument is officially recorded in the British Museum as part of the Department of Medieval and Later Antiquities, having been catalogued by F. A. B. Ward in 1981.
Identification
- Inventory number
- MLA 1893, 6-16.9
- 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: Missing original string gnomon
- Research required: Authenticity of the instrument questioned by some scholars