Scaphe Dial by Amelli
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Late 16th century
This scaphe dial, inventory number 34154, is a scientific instrument held by the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. Attributed to the late 16th century, the piece is signed by the maker, Amelli, with the inscription 'In Palermo, Amelli Fecit'.
The instrument is constructed from brass and measures 60 x 60 x 40 mm. It consists of a hemispherical dial contained within a box featuring decorative engravings of flowers, arabesques, and fleur-de-lis. The gnomon is fixed, while the hour grid is adjustable to accommodate different latitudes. An integral component is the compass located on the interior of the lid, featuring a painted pasteboard card displaying 16 directions in a multi-colored palette.
The exterior of the box includes an engraved list of various Spanish and Italian towns accompanied by their respective geographic latitudes, facilitating the adjustment of the dial for the user's specific location.
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
- Type
- Italian scaphe dial
- Maker
- Amelli
- Material
- Brass and pasteboard
- Signature
- In Palermo, Amelli Fecit
- Dimensions
- 60 x 60 x 40 mm
- Latitude data
- Spanish and Italian towns
- Place recorded
- Italy
- Compass composition
- Thin pasteboard
- Maker / attribution
- Amelli
Design
- Visible features
- • External case surfaces are heavily decorated with engraved floral and geometric motifs • Compass card features a multi-pointed star pattern painted in red, yellow, blue, and green • Hemispherical interior contains a fixed pin gnomon and an adjustable hour grid • External edges of the brass case are inscribed with geographic locations and latitude values
- Compass and Signatures
- Located on the inner face of the box lid is a compass designed for orientation. The compass card is constructed from thin pasteboard and features a sixteen-point directional display. The card is decorated with a palette of red, blue, yellow, white, and green paint. The instrument bears a clear signature attributed to the maker, Amelli. This identifying mark, alongside the location of manufacture, is positioned on the exterior of the box, reading 'In Palermo, Amelli Fecit'.
- Case and Exterior Features
- The instrument is housed in a brass box measuring 60 x 60 x 40 mm. The exterior surfaces exhibit extensive decorative engraving, including floral patterns, arabesque designs, and fleur-de-lis motifs. The structural design incorporates a hinged lid that protects the hemispherical dial and the internal compass. The sides of the box serve an instructional purpose, featuring engraved lists of various Italian and Spanish towns. These geographical labels are paired with specific latitude measurements, which allow the user to properly set the adjustable grid component when operating the dial.
- Dial and Timekeeping Mechanism
- The dial functions as a scaphe instrument, utilizing a pin gnomon fixed at the center to cast a shadow within a hemispherical basin. The arrangement of the pin is aligned with the polar axis to track solar time. The system displays both common hours, numbered from 6 to 12 to 6, and Italian hours, which range from 12 to 24. To adapt the instrument for use across different geographic regions, the hour grid within the basin is designed to be movable. By adjusting this grid relative to the fixed pin, the user can calibrate the dial according to the latitude of their current location as referenced in the case engravings.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 34154
- 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 dating to the late 16th century is an attribution provided by the source
- Research required: Attribution to an Italian origin relies on the source description and signature location