Augsburg-type sundial with case
Datecirca 1760
Inventory Number7077
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Ludovicus Theodatus Müller
circa 1710 - 1770
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions1.6 × 6.3 × 5.8 cm (5/8 × 2 1/2 × 2 5/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriescase
DescriptionThis octagonal, brass sundial has an unusually rounded shape and rests on three leveling-screw feet. The dial plate has an adjustable, decoratively shaped plumb-bob opposite the hinge of the equatorial ring
The compass is silvered and divided into four sections, with an eight-point wind rose in the center. The abbreviations for each cardinal direction are engraved in their respective quadrants. There is an arrow for magnetic declination at approximately 15° west, marked with an “S” at the arrow end and an “M” at the feathered end. The compass needle has an arrow-shaped tip on the north end.
The equatorial ring of this sundial is circular and engraved on the top surface with an hour scale. The hour scale is marked with Roman numerals III-XII-IX divided in half hour increments. The inside surface of the ring is marked with half-hour increments. At the midnight position of the ring there is an engraved bit of decorative scrollwork. The sundial's gnomon is a pin mounted to the center of a rotating bar that bridges the 6 o'clock hours.
The latitude arm is marked from 10° to 90° every 10°, and further divided by 2° increments.
This sundial has a fitted leather case. There is a gazetteer engraved on a brass disk mounted on the inside of the case, with the names and latitudes for 26 European cities, including the maker’s city and signature.
The compass is silvered and divided into four sections, with an eight-point wind rose in the center. The abbreviations for each cardinal direction are engraved in their respective quadrants. There is an arrow for magnetic declination at approximately 15° west, marked with an “S” at the arrow end and an “M” at the feathered end. The compass needle has an arrow-shaped tip on the north end.
The equatorial ring of this sundial is circular and engraved on the top surface with an hour scale. The hour scale is marked with Roman numerals III-XII-IX divided in half hour increments. The inside surface of the ring is marked with half-hour increments. At the midnight position of the ring there is an engraved bit of decorative scrollwork. The sundial's gnomon is a pin mounted to the center of a rotating bar that bridges the 6 o'clock hours.
The latitude arm is marked from 10° to 90° every 10°, and further divided by 2° increments.
This sundial has a fitted leather case. There is a gazetteer engraved on a brass disk mounted on the inside of the case, with the names and latitudes for 26 European cities, including the maker’s city and signature.
Signedinside case: LT Müller / Augsp 48
Curatorial RemarksAppraised by Brieux, 9/24/84: $2000
FunctionTime-finding by orienting the gnomon to point toward the North Pole with the aid of a magnetic compass and an angular adjustment for latitiude.
ProvenanceHarrold E. Gillingham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, purchased in France, 1923. David Wheatland purchased from Gillingham, 1949. Donated to CHSI 1985.
Ludovicus Theodatus Müller
Date: circa 1760
Accessories: case
Object number: 7076
Ludovicus Theodatus Müller
Date: 1750-1770
Accessories: case
Object number: 7079
Lorenz Grassl
Date: circa 1780
Accessories: case
Object number: HO81Z-2
Andreas Vogler
Date: circa 1790
Accessories: case
Object number: HO81Z-3
