string-gnomon sundial
Datecirca 1725
Inventory Number7207
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
J. F. Kynast
fl. circa 1725 - 1750
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsopen: 5.6 × 5.7 × 10.7 cm (2 3/16 × 2 1/4 × 4 3/16 in.)
closed: 2.7 × 5.7 × 7.1 cm (1 1/16 × 2 1/4 × 2 13/16 in.)
closed: 2.7 × 5.7 × 7.1 cm (1 1/16 × 2 1/4 × 2 13/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionHorizontal dial on an octagonal brass plate with a hinged compass at one end and a hinged support for the string gnomon at the other end. Both fold flat for storage. The chapter ring is marked 4 to 12 to 1 to 8 with dots marking 30 minute subdivisions. The gnomon is fixed for a latitude of approximately 49°. The compass rose has 4 points marked E, OR, ME, and DO with no subdivisions. There as an adjustable pointer for magnetic declination calibrated with five marks to approximately 25° West.,Adjustment for magnetic deviation. Lunar volvelle.,octagonal
Object Name: Horizontal Dial with Compass, string gnomon, plummet, and lunar volvelle
Object Name: Horizontal Dial with Compass, string gnomon, plummet, and lunar volvelle
Signedstamped on lunar volvelle: IFF / KYNAST
Curatorial RemarksChristie's ?. This instrument is listed in Zinner and Webster but there does not appear to be anything known about this maker.
FunctionTime finding at a fixed latitude after orienting gnomon to point toward true North.
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (no. 83); Frederik Casparus Wieder, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 1928; David P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1959; gift to CHSI, c. 1987.
English
Date: circa 1935
Accessories: Blue cardboard box with instructions printed on a circular paper glued to the interior of the lower half. There is also a slip-in brown leather case.
Object number: 7224
Christiaen Christiaensen
Date: circa 1650
Accessories: None.
Object number: 7587
