Nocturnal and Quadrant by Lorenzo della Volpaia
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1511
This brass nocturnal and quadrant, measuring 77 mm in diameter, was created by Lorenzo della Volpaia in 1511 in Florence. The instrument consists of three superimposed discs engraved with various markings designed to calculate time at night by orienting the discs based on the current day and month.
One side features a circular disc with a calendar scale and a notched volvelle disc with fifteen teeth, incorporating several concentric scales for reading hours, minutes, and months. The second face contains an Italian hours diagram for a latitude of 43 degrees, flanked by two halves of a calendar scale and a 90-degree scale. The instrument includes a central rule that is not original, which obstructs the sighting hole and prevents use.
The piece originates from the legacy of the scientist Vincenzo Viviani and is currently held by the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence.
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
- 1511
- Type
- Italian nocturnal and quadrant
- Maker
- Lorenzo della Volpaia
- Latitude
- 43 degrees
- Location
- Florence
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Vincenzo Viviani
- Place recorded
- Florence
- Maker / attribution
- Lorenzo della Volpaia
Design
- Visible features
- • Circular brass body with integrated suspension loop at the top • Notched volvelle disc with fifteen teeth mounted centrally • Engraved hour and calendar scales visible on the main circular surface • Non-original central rule spanning across the dial face
- The Quadrant Face
- The reverse side of the instrument functions as a quadrant. The centre contains an hour diagram for an Italian hours dial, covering the range of 9 to 23. This diagram is calibrated for a latitude of 43 degrees, which corresponds to the region of Tuscany. Flanking the diagram are the two segments of a calendar scale. Below the hour diagram, the instrument features a scale of 90 degrees, which reads to single-degree increments. Additional features include a scale of three rings above the hour diagram, comprising a month scale, zodiac symbols, and a series of letters A through H representing numerical values.
- Construction and Design
- The nocturnal is constructed from brass and measures 77 mm in diameter. It comprises three superimposed discs, each engraved with specific astronomical and calendrical markings. The instrument is designed for nocturnal time calculation through the manipulation of these discs based on date observations. On the primary face, a circular disc features a calendar scale read anti-clockwise. Within this, a volvelle disc is fitted, featuring an edge notched with 15 teeth. Concentric to these teeth are four distinct scales, including hour, minute, and month indicators, as well as a scale corresponding to the arc of the teeth.
- Condition and Provenance
- The instrument is documented as having a rule mounted at the centre, which the source identifies as not being original to the piece. This modern or replaced rule obstructs the sighting hole, rendering the nocturnal unusable in its current state. Regarding its history, the nocturnal forms part of the collection at the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence. It is noted to have come from the legacy of the scientist Vincenzo Viviani.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 1305
- 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 central rule is documented as a non-original addition
- Research required: The central rule currently prevents the instrument from being functional due to blockage of the sighting hole