Sundial and dividers by Christoph Schissler

Technical characteristics

Date

1558

Type

Augsburg sundial and dividers

Maker

Christoph Schissler

Length

165 mm

Material

Gilt brass

Provenance

Bequeathed by Octavius Morgan

Place recorded

Augsburg

Place of origin

Augsburg

Maker / attribution

Christoph Schissler

Design

Visible features

• Hinge features a floral engraved design • Lower arm sections display arabesque engravings • Folding transversal cross-piece contains hour markings • Retractable hook sliders extend from each arm end

Components and Condition

The central hinge of the dividers serves as the housing for a compass, though this component is currently incomplete, lacking both the magnetic needle and the original glass. The compass cover remains with the instrument but is detached. Additionally, the original gnomon is entirely absent; it is posited that the gnomon was originally fixed between a square hole on the smaller transversal arm and the compass box area. The instrument includes a fitted leather case, which is lined in green, serving as its primary preservation vessel since its acquisition via the Octavius Morgan bequest. , with specific components such as the gnomon missing, and certain mechanical parts like the U-shaped brackets remaining of uncertain function.

Construction and Dial Layout

The instrument is primarily constructed as a pair of gilt brass dividers, with functionality integrated into the arm surfaces. The primary timekeeping scales for common hours are located on the obverse faces of both arms, divided to the half-hour increments. Additional time indication is provided by a folding transversal arm which features hour lines numbered from 10 to 2, facilitating horizontal time observation. For assembly in use, the instrument is supported by the central hinge and two bun feet situated at the extremity of each divider arm. The instrument retains a degree of mechanical complexity, including extendable sliders that terminate in brass hooks, and specific architectural details such as the engraved arabesque motifs on the lower sections of the arms.

Inscriptions and Mathematical Scales

The instrument bears a clear signature and date on the obverse face, identifying the maker as Christophorvs Schissler and the place of manufacture as Avgvste. The inscription also specifies the instrument's intended astronomical use, designed for specific pole elevations of 47, 48, and 49 degrees. The reverse side of the dividers functions as a measuring scale for Augsburg inches. These scales are divided differently on each arm, with one arm showing markings from zero to 6 and the other from 7 to 11, subdivided into fractional units of 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/3, and 1/5, providing a precise utilitarian function alongside the sundial mechanism.

Identification

Inventory number

MLA 1888, 12-1.283

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.