Augsburg-type sundial with case
Datecirca 1790
Inventory NumberHO81Z-3
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Andreas Vogler
c. 1730 - 1800
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions2.2 × 8.4 × 7.3 cm (7/8 × 3 5/16 × 2 7/8 in.)
sundial: 1.3 cm (1/2 in.)
hour ring: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.)
5.1 x 4.9 cm (2 x 1 15/16 in.)
sundial: 1.3 cm (1/2 in.)
hour ring: 4.5 cm (1 3/4 in.)
5.1 x 4.9 cm (2 x 1 15/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriescase
DescriptionThis octagonal brass sundial rests on its compass box. The dial plate is engraved with geometric designs that encircle the compass.
The compass is silvered and divided into four sections, with a sixteen-point wind rose at the center. The abbreviations for each cardinal direction are engraved in their corresponding 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 is blued with an arrow-shaped tip on the northern 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, with subdivisions every half-hour. At the midnight position of the ring, there is a small floral engraving. 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 6° to 82° every 10°, and further divided by 2° increments.
The underside of the compass box is engraved with a gazetteer of 6 European cities and their latitudes, along with the signature of the maker.
This sundial has a rectangular red leather case with velvet lining.
The compass is silvered and divided into four sections, with a sixteen-point wind rose at the center. The abbreviations for each cardinal direction are engraved in their corresponding 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 is blued with an arrow-shaped tip on the northern 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, with subdivisions every half-hour. At the midnight position of the ring, there is a small floral engraving. 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 6° to 82° every 10°, and further divided by 2° increments.
The underside of the compass box is engraved with a gazetteer of 6 European cities and their latitudes, along with the signature of the maker.
This sundial has a rectangular red leather case with velvet lining.
Signedon underside of compass bowl: And. Vogl
Inscribedgilt printing on satin lining of case: "Erlsbacher & Co, URENFABRIK, GRAZ, Herrengasse 13."; engraved on base of compass: "Elev. Pol, Augsburg Pari, 48. Cracau Prag, 50 Leipzig 51"; stamped into bottom of case: "31"
Curatorial RemarksRelocated 2/27/97 by G.C. Koger
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.
ProvenanceFrances Hofer, 1952; gift to Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, Houghton Library, Harvard University, 1981; longterm loan to CHSI, 1991.
Historical Attributes(1/2/91)Memo from Anne Anninger to William Andrewes: "... a 1981 gift of Philip Hofer to the Houghton Library, are being placed on long term deposit in the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments. These instruments are not to be traded or discarded. Mention of their original provenance is to be made at the time of exhibition or reproduction, and permission to reproduce is to be secured from the Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, The Houghton Library. The Houghton Library reserves the right to retrieve this material at any time and for any reason.
Lorenz Grassl
Date: circa 1780
Accessories: case
Object number: HO81Z-2
Ludovicus Theodatus Müller
Date: circa 1760
Accessories: case
Object number: 7077