rectangular ivory diptych sundial
Date1620-1645
Inventory Number7573
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Thomas Ducher
1590 - 1645
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions1.1 lb. (0.5 kg)
dial: 1.4 x 10.3 x 5.8 cm (9/16 x 4 1/16 x 2 5/16 in.)
Overall - Storage: 1.7 x 10.5 x 6.2 cm (11/16 x 4 1/8 x 2 7/16 in.)
dial: 1.4 x 10.3 x 5.8 cm (9/16 x 4 1/16 x 2 5/16 in.)
Overall - Storage: 1.7 x 10.5 x 6.2 cm (11/16 x 4 1/8 x 2 7/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionBlack, red, and green coloring, gilt used around borders. Tablet I is split sideways twice, II once. Both plates were spliced back together, apparently by the maker. Brass plate on right side of II with initials "TD" and maker's mark (crowned snake) between initials. Compass viewing hole in I, slot for wind vane has been filled in. Brass wire clasp on II and four bun feet on IIb. Compass needle intact, glass is a replacement.
Ia Wind rose with 16 points and scale numbered 1-32 (east=32), 8 directions labeled in German, cardinal directions labeled twice as S, ORIENS and OR, M, and OCCIDENS and OC. Indicator broken off. Engraving of the heads of an Oriental man and a Turkish man (?) amidst colorful foliate decoration.
Ib Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in Gothic style black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Colorful foliate decoration surrounds an elaborate sun face.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter - hours, respectively. Compass bowl contains maker's mark (crowned snake) twice. North and south labeled S and M, respectively. magnetic declination indicated at 1° west of north by a fleur-de-lys. Pin gnomon dial with sun face indicates Italian hours (labeled 10-22 in red numerals) and Babylonian hours (labeled 2-14 in black numerals). Colorful foliate decoration.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle, brass disc missing. Scales labeled 1 - 12 twice in red numerals (inner) and 1 - 29 in black numerals (outer). "EPAGTA GREGORI" and "EPAGTA IVLIANA" [Gregorian and Julian epacts] (beginning with 17 and 7, respectively, for the year 1621 or 1640) tabulated circularly around volvelle. Note that the names of the epacts are reversed. Colorful foliate decoration.
Ia Wind rose with 16 points and scale numbered 1-32 (east=32), 8 directions labeled in German, cardinal directions labeled twice as S, ORIENS and OR, M, and OCCIDENS and OC. Indicator broken off. Engraving of the heads of an Oriental man and a Turkish man (?) amidst colorful foliate decoration.
Ib Vertical dial labeled VI-XII-VI in Gothic style black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter-hours, respectively. Colorful foliate decoration surrounds an elaborate sun face.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8 in black numerals, with lines and dots marking the half- and quarter - hours, respectively. Compass bowl contains maker's mark (crowned snake) twice. North and south labeled S and M, respectively. magnetic declination indicated at 1° west of north by a fleur-de-lys. Pin gnomon dial with sun face indicates Italian hours (labeled 10-22 in red numerals) and Babylonian hours (labeled 2-14 in black numerals). Colorful foliate decoration.
IIb Standard German lunar volvelle, brass disc missing. Scales labeled 1 - 12 twice in red numerals (inner) and 1 - 29 in black numerals (outer). "EPAGTA GREGORI" and "EPAGTA IVLIANA" [Gregorian and Julian epacts] (beginning with 17 and 7, respectively, for the year 1621 or 1640) tabulated circularly around volvelle. Note that the names of the epacts are reversed. Colorful foliate decoration.
Signedon brass cover for wind vane: T [crowned snake] D
Curatorial RemarksLloyd8. Envelope with loose spring is stored in cabinet with sundial.
ProvenanceDavid P. Wheatland purchased from Sotheby's, London, March 13, 1967 (lot 47), via E. P. Goldschmidt & Co., Ltd. Donated to CHSI c. 1985.
Conrad Karner
Date: 1630
Accessories: On 6/22/98 an envelope with a piece to this dial was found in 1V-2b. However, on the envelope it said "wrong dial," with no other information. JR
Object number: 7554
