rectangular ivory diptych sundial
Datemid 17th-late 17th Century
Inventory Number7505
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
French
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsclosed: 1 x 5.2 x 5.7 cm (3/8 x 2 1/16 x 2 1/4 in.)
Material
DescriptionBlack coloring. Brass arm at right side of IIa to set angle for equinoctial dial. Two brass hook clasps on II. Compass needle and glass intact. Brass wire hinges. Blued-steel compass needle with gilded brass center. Cast brass clasp on left side of II to hold gnomon rod (intact). Double-lined border on outer edges of I and II. See figure 1, page 24.
Ia Double-lined frame with no ornamentation. Circular equinoctial dial labeled 1-12 twice, for use in spring and summer months; polar dial inside labeled 8-12-4. Central metal rivet with hole for pin gnomon.
IIb Double-lined frame with no ornamentation. Simple pewter type 2 French lunar volvelle with scales labeled 1-30 (inner) and 1-12 twice (outer, on ivory, also to be used as equinoctial dial scale in autumn and winter months). Latitude scale alng right side from 0° to 80° set to angle for upper tablet.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single hour scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8. Printed paper insert (painted yellow, red, and blue) in compass bowl with latitude table for 22 cities, mostly french (42°- 51° latitude). Outer scale on paper insert calibrated 0°- 90° four times beginning at north and south. Double-lined frame with no further ornamentation.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single hour scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8. Printed paper insert (painted yellow, red, and blue) in compass bowl with latitude table for 22 cities, mostly French (42°- 51° latitude). Outer scale on paper insert calibrated 0° - 90° four times beginning at north and south. Double-lined frame with no ornamentation.
IIb Double-lined frame with no further ornamentation. Number 4 written in red ink.
Ia Double-lined frame with no ornamentation. Circular equinoctial dial labeled 1-12 twice, for use in spring and summer months; polar dial inside labeled 8-12-4. Central metal rivet with hole for pin gnomon.
IIb Double-lined frame with no ornamentation. Simple pewter type 2 French lunar volvelle with scales labeled 1-30 (inner) and 1-12 twice (outer, on ivory, also to be used as equinoctial dial scale in autumn and winter months). Latitude scale alng right side from 0° to 80° set to angle for upper tablet.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single hour scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8. Printed paper insert (painted yellow, red, and blue) in compass bowl with latitude table for 22 cities, mostly french (42°- 51° latitude). Outer scale on paper insert calibrated 0°- 90° four times beginning at north and south. Double-lined frame with no further ornamentation.
IIa Horizontal dial with a single hour scale for approximate latitude 48.5°, labeled 4-12-8. Printed paper insert (painted yellow, red, and blue) in compass bowl with latitude table for 22 cities, mostly French (42°- 51° latitude). Outer scale on paper insert calibrated 0° - 90° four times beginning at north and south. Double-lined frame with no ornamentation.
IIb Double-lined frame with no further ornamentation. Number 4 written in red ink.
Signedunsigned
Curatorial RemarksLloyd76. Empty envelope (see note) is stored in cabinet with sundial.
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928 (no. 160); Frederik Casparus Wieder, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 1928; D. P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1959; gift to CHSI, ca. 1987.
Jacques Senecal
Date: circa 1680
Object number: 7389
Jacques Guerard
Date: mid 17th-late 17th Century
Object number: 7507
