Nocturnal and Sundial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1587
This object is a gilt brass nocturnal and sundial, measuring 160 mm in length. It is signed 'G K?B' and dated 1587. While described as a single plate, the instrument serves multiple functions, including indicating the time at night, the time by day for four latitudes, and, for a single location, the sunrise, sunset, and lengths of day and night.
Construction features include a circular base plate with a decorative handle, a central hour ring with seven curved bands, and an incomplete index arm. The reverse side contains a horizontal sundial with a folding gnomon adjustable for four specific latitudes, and markings for cardinal points. Evidence of a hinge and catch suggests the plate was originally part of a more extensive astronomical compendium. Several of the bands have been repaired with solder, and the magnetic needle for the sundial is 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
- 1587
- Type
- German nocturnal and sundial
- Maker
- G K?B
- Length
- 160 mm
- Country
- German
- Function
- Nocturnal and sundial
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- G K?B
Design
- Visible features
- • Handle decorated with figures, grotesque faces, plants and animals • Hour ring connected to a central disc by seven curved bands • Folding gnomon with a spring plate for latitudinal adjustment • Multiple concentric scales including zodiacal calendar and seasonal indicators
- Physical State and Provenance
- The instrument currently exists as a single plate, though physical evidence indicates it was once part of a larger astronomical device. Holes for a hinge fitting and a catch on the reverse confirm that it was designed to connect to other components. The handle, which is integral to the plate, displays artistic relief work featuring animals, grotesque faces, and plants. The current condition reflects past use and repair. Several of the bands connecting the hour ring to the center have been repaired using solder, and the magnetic needle is lost. The museum inventory number for the object is 36545.
- Nocturnal Side and Calibration
- The obverse of the circular plate functions as a nocturnal. It features a blank circular edge and several concentric scales, including a zodiacal calendar and the four seasons, marked as 'VER', '?STAS', 'AVTVMNVS', and 'HYEMS'. A central hour ring, which rotates above the base, is connected to the disc by seven curved bands. Each band supports a hand, and these are marked with Latin labels corresponding to their astronomical function, such as 'DIES MENSIVM', 'LONGITVDO DIEI', and 'ORTVS SOLIS'. An index arm is mounted above the hour ring, although it is currently incomplete. A small inscription on the base plate, '15[?] AVG', provides further calibration data; a straight line drawn from the center through a nearby dot marks 15 August or 0 Scorpio on the calendar scale.
- Sundial and Mechanical Details
- The reverse of the plate acts as a horizontal sundial. It incorporates a folding gnomon equipped with a spring plate, which allows for adjustment across four specific latitudes: 45, 48, 51, and 54 degrees. The corresponding hour scales are engraved in both Roman and Arabic numerals. The outer edge is finished with an ornamental band featuring snakes and foliage. A central space indicates where a magnetic needle would have been situated, though it is now missing. The cardinal points are marked in Latin: 'MERIDIES', 'OCCIDENS', 'SEPTENTRIO', and 'ORIENS'. The design includes an offset target line to account for magnetic variation.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 36545
- 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 signature 'G K?B' contains an ambiguous character
- Research required: The date '1587' is confirmed, but a smaller inscription '15[?] AVG' has an unclear digit
- Research required: The original extent of the complete astronomical compendium is unknown