Polyhedral Dial by Paul Reinmann
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1597
This polyhedral dial, originating from Nuremberg and dated 1597, is constructed from an octagonal wood block covered with ivory layers. Measuring 70 x 72 x 64 mm, it incorporates multiple timekeeping systems including pin gnomon and wire gnomon dials.
The top face features a compass, though the glass, needle, and ring are missing, accompanied by sun and moon effigies. The instrument rests on bun feet, one of which is now absent. The instrument was bequeathed by Octavius Morgan to the British Museum. The seven vertical faces exhibit various wire dials indicating common hours, while additional inscriptions such as "MITTAG", "AVFGANG", "MITTERNACHT", and "NI{E}DERGANG" define specific solar time parameters.
The maker’s mark, representing a crown, is punched twice on the fifth face.
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
- 1597
- Type
- Nuremberg polyhedral dial
- Maker
- Paul Reinmann
- Materials
- Ivory and wood
- Dimensions
- 70 x 72 x 64 mm
- Provenance
- Octavius Morgan
- Maker's Mark
- Crown symbol
- Place recorded
- Nuremberg
- Maker / attribution
- Paul Reinmann
Design
- Visible features
- • Ivory-covered octagonal wooden body • Multiple wire gnomon dials across faces • Compass area on top currently lacks internal components • Maker's mark of a crown punched on the fifth face
- Design and Construction
- The dial is constructed from an octagonal block of wood, which is entirely encased in layers of carved ivory. It serves as a polyhedral timekeeping instrument, utilizing both pin gnomon dials and wire gnomon dials across its various surfaces. The structure is supported by bun feet, although the piece is currently noted as missing one of these feet. The top face of the instrument features an integrated compass. This section is decorated with carvings of four putti, as well as sun and moon effigies. However, the original function of the compass is compromised as the glass, needle, and internal ring are no longer present. Below the compass is a pin gnomon dial that displays Italian hours from 12 to 22 and Babylonian hours from 1 to 12.
- Signatures, Marks and Dating
- The object bears a signature identifying the maker as Paul Reinmann of Nuremberg. There are two distinct dates present on the instrument. A second date, 1597, appears on one of the octagonal faces and is considered consistent with the overall style of the instrument. The maker's mark, depicted as a crown, is punched twice onto the fifth face of the dial.
- Dial Configuration and Inscriptions
- The seven vertical faces of the octagon are equipped with wire gnomon dials, with the exception of the first face, which is missing its wire. These dials are designed to track common hours across different segments of the day. Various faces include descriptive inscriptions such as 'MITTAG' (midday), 'AVFGANG' (sunrise), 'MITTERNACHT' (midnight), and 'NI{E}DERGANG' (sunset). The fifth face utilizes a pin gnomon dial rather than wire. Each face is calibrated differently to track specific hour ranges, with some indicating common hours from 3 to 8, others from 4 to 12 to 2, or from 10 to 12 and 1 to 8. These various configurations demonstrate the instrument's capacity for measuring time through diverse solar methods.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- MLA 1888, 12-1.284
- 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: Date 1441 is noted as likely a later addition
- Research required: Compass components missing