Sundial, diptych, Leonhart Miller, Augsburg, 1640
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1640
Ivory diptych sundial, made by Leonhart Miller, Augsburg, Germany, 1640. The thin thread serves as the gnomon for the horizontal dial. The angle of the thread can be adjusted to 42, 45, 48, 51 or 54 degrees to correspond to the latitude, by passing the thread through the appropriate hole in the lid. A table on the lid shows the latitude of some principal European cities.
Cord from lid to base, compass in base but needle missing. Under base rotating metal disc with pointer, around disc 2 circular scales with arabic numbers, inner scale 1 to 12 twice, outer scale 1 to 29, on top of lid. German labels, inside lid list of places with numbers
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 3
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Ivory
- Dimensions
- Overall Dimensions: 9 cm (Length), 5.5 cm (Width), 1.3 cm (Height); Overall: 90 mm (Length), 56 mm (Width), 15 mm (Height)
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Leonhart Miller
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- NSEW marked on compass. Sundial circle around compass marked 'Soli Deo Gloria'.
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Museums Victoria, Melbourne collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- mv-395215
- Museum object name
- Sundial - Diptych, Leonhart Miller, Augsburg, Germany, 1640
- Holding institution
- Museums Victoria, Melbourne
- Museum object number
- ST 23634
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: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.