Vertical Disc Dial by Alexius Schniep
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1600
This gilt brass vertical disc dial, attributed to the maker Alexius Schniep, is dated to circa 1600. Measuring 145 x 85 x 2 mm, the instrument is constructed with a flat half-ring supported by a brass tripod stand.
A folding gnomon is provided for timekeeping, with hour lines engraved on the ring, indicating common hours from VI to XII to VI to the half-hour. The central portion of the instrument features a round brass plate displaying the lengths of the day and night with hour markings and sunrise and sunset indicators. The reverse of the round plate includes a pierced lunar volvelle with an aspectarium. A compass is soldered to the top of the dial, which is currently missing its original needle and glass cover.
The instrument displays technical markings in Latin, including cardinal points and descriptive labels for its various astronomical functions.
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
- circa 1600
- Type
- Other sundial
- Maker
- Alexius Schniep
- Location
- Vienna, Austria
- Materials
- Gilt brass
- Signature
- HOC OPVS FECIT ALEXIVS SCHNIEPP VIENNA AVSTRIA
- Dimensions
- 145 x 85 x 2 mm
- Place recorded
- Vienna, Austria
- Maker / attribution
- Alexius Schniep
Design
- Visible features
- • Folding gnomon attached to the center of the arc • Engraved hour markings ranging from VI to XII to VI • Missing magnetic needle and glass cover for the compass
- Construction and Design
- The instrument is crafted from gilt brass and is composed of several integrated components designed for portability and function. The main frame consists of a flat half-ring that serves as the dial plate, supported by a tripod stand which allows it to be placed upright on a flat surface. A folding gnomon is positioned at the center of the arc to cast the shadow required for solar time observation. Mounted to the top of the ring is a compass housing, which is soldered directly to the structure. Internally, the assembly features a round brass plate positioned within the half-circle. This internal plate acts as a multifunctional astronomical tool, presenting both temporal and lunar calculations to the user through various engravings and a pierced mechanical component.
- Signatures and Condition
- The maker's mark is engraved on the side of the half-circle, specifically identifying the piece as the work of Alexius Schniep of Vienna. The cardinal points of the compass are also inscribed on the compass ring in Latin, including 'meridies', 'occidens', 'septen', and 'oriens', accompanied by indications of magnetic declination. This signature block provides the attribution for the instrument's origin. Regarding the state of the object, the source reports that the compass needle and the associated glass covering are absent. Despite these losses to the compass assembly, the brass structure and the engraved scales remain part of the catalogued instrument held within the Museum of the History of Science.
- Astronomical and Timekeeping Functions
- The dial provides solar timekeeping via common hour lines engraved on the face of the half-ring, calibrated from VI to XII to VI and divided to the half-hour. In addition to standard time, the instrument facilitates calculation of seasonal day and night durations. The central round plate is engraved with 'QVANTITAS NOCTIS' and 'quantitas diei', allowing for the monitoring of the length of the night and day respectively, marked in half-hour intervals from 8 to 16. The functionality is extended by the inclusion of 'oriens' and 'OCCIDENS' labels to denote sunrise and sunset times. Furthermore, the reverse of the central plate features a pierced lunar volvelle equipped with an aspectarium, providing the user with lunar phase information and planetary aspects.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 33775
- 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: Original compass needle is missing
- Research required: Original compass glass is missing