Polyhedral Sundial, 16th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
16th century
This polyhedral sundial, inventory number 2458, is held by the Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza in Florence. Constructed of wood and standing 205 mm in height, it features an eighteen-faced polyhedron mounted upon a turned single stem baluster pillar.
The instrument serves as a table sundial with various dial surfaces, including inclining, declining, reclining, vertical, and horizontal faces, which incorporate pin gnomons and are inscribed for Italian hours. Decoration consists of gold foliate patterns set against red, blue, or black grounds, with dial markings in black on a white ground. The object includes an inset compass for orientation and bears signatures attributed to Stefano Buonsignori, an Olivetan Friar and cosmographer.
The dial construction includes season and equator lines, with symmetrical decoration around the north and south faces, and utilizes a wood stand for support.
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
- 16th century
- Type
- Italian polyhedral dial
- Maker
- Stefano Buonsignori
- Height
- 205 mm
- Construction
- Eighteen-faced polyhedron
- Place recorded
- Italy
- Maker / attribution
- Stefano Buonsignori
Design
- Visible features
- • Eighteen decorated polyhedral faces • Turned wooden baluster pillar stand • Visible pin gnomons on multiple surfaces • Gold-leaf foliate scrollwork decoration
- Signatures and Attribution
- The instrument carries evidence of its creation, featuring the initials 'DSF' and a distinct 'S'. This signage is associated with Stefano Buonsignori, who served as a cosmographer at the court of Francesco I de' Medici. The 'DSF' mark is located near the 'Tropicus Cancri' band, while the 'S' is found on the red-painted lower horizontal surface near the stand. The combination of these markings and the specific decorative techniques provide the basis for the museum's attribution to the Florentine maker.
- Dial Markings and Gnomonics
- The sundial is configured for Italian hours, indicated by pin gnomons protruding from the faces. While the hour markings are described as undivided, the surface details include the frequent inclusion of equator and season lines. The layout of the faces is symmetrical, centered around the north and south orientations of the device. The inscriptions are varied across the different surfaces to accommodate the specific geometry of horizontal, vertical, and declining dial configurations. The precision of these markings allows for the identification of the different types of sundials integrated into the single polyhedral form.
- Physical Structure and Geometry
- The instrument is a polyhedral table sundial composed of eighteen distinct faces. These surfaces are oriented to provide a variety of dial types, encompassing six inclining and declining surfaces, six reclining and declining surfaces, four vertical faces, and a single horizontal face. The entire assembly is supported by a turned wood baluster pillar stand. The faces themselves are decorated with gold foliate designs applied over painted grounds of red, blue, or black. In contrast, the dial markings and inscriptions are drawn in black ink on white grounds. The unit includes an inset compass within the horizontal face, intended for proper solar orientation during use.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 2458
- 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: Attribution to Stefano Buonsignori based on stylistic characteristics and 'DSF'/'S' markings
- Research required: Exact geographical provenance within Florence relies on museum records