globe sundial
Date1626
Inventory NumberHO81Z-17
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
A. D. C
fl. 1626
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensions4.2 x 4.2 x 4.2 cm (1 5/8 x 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 in.)
Material
DescriptionThis globe sundial is fashioned from an ivory sphere. The polar axis/gnomon is missing, but there is a hole for it. The celestial meridian is divided 90°-0°-90°, every 10°. These are marked by holes. The celestial equator is divided into hours, 1-12 twice, every 1 hour. The hours are marked by holes along the line. The North Pole is marked "NORTE." The South Pole is marked "SVR." Along the celestial meridian, there is a solar declination scale marked with zodiacal symbols every 30°. (It seems to be upside down.)
In the northern hemisphere, the Tropic of Cancer is identified with the text: "Tropicus [symbol for Cancer] sed vmbra [symbol for Capricorn]." A table giving the date on which the sun enters the southern zodiacal signs is also (oddly) in the northern hemisphere. It has the title, "Ingress9 Solis in Signa Australia." Each zodiacal symbol is followed by the civil calendar date and the abbreviated Spanish name of the month. For example:
[symbol of Libra]. 23. Set.
[symbol of Scorpio]. 24. Ot.
....etcetera to [symbol of Pisces]. 19. Feb.
In the southern hemisphere, the Tropic of Capricorn is identified with the text: "Tropicus [symbol for Capricorn] sed vmbra [symbol for Cancer]." A table giving the date on which the sun enters the northern zodiacal signs is also (oddly) in the southern hemisphere. It has the title, "Ingress9 Solis in Signa Borealia." As before, each zodiacal symbol is followed by the civil calendar date and the abbreviated Spanish name of the month. For example:
[symbol of Aries]. 22. Mar.
....etcetera to [symbol of Virgo]. 23 Ag.
In the northern hemisphere, the Tropic of Cancer is identified with the text: "Tropicus [symbol for Cancer] sed vmbra [symbol for Capricorn]." A table giving the date on which the sun enters the southern zodiacal signs is also (oddly) in the northern hemisphere. It has the title, "Ingress9 Solis in Signa Australia." Each zodiacal symbol is followed by the civil calendar date and the abbreviated Spanish name of the month. For example:
[symbol of Libra]. 23. Set.
[symbol of Scorpio]. 24. Ot.
....etcetera to [symbol of Pisces]. 19. Feb.
In the southern hemisphere, the Tropic of Capricorn is identified with the text: "Tropicus [symbol for Capricorn] sed vmbra [symbol for Cancer]." A table giving the date on which the sun enters the northern zodiacal signs is also (oddly) in the southern hemisphere. It has the title, "Ingress9 Solis in Signa Borealia." As before, each zodiacal symbol is followed by the civil calendar date and the abbreviated Spanish name of the month. For example:
[symbol of Aries]. 22. Mar.
....etcetera to [symbol of Virgo]. 23 Ag.
In Collection(s)
Signedsouth of the celestial equator: A.D.C. me fecit.
north of the celestial equator: Hispali Anno 1626.
FunctionA globe sundial is a form of equatorial sundial and can be set for different latitudes.
ProvenancePhilip Hofer; gift to Department of Printing and Graphic Arts, Houghton Library, Harvard University, 1981; longterm loan to CHSI, 1991.
Anthoine Mestrel
Date: 1551
Accessories: old velvet pouch
Object number: DW0592
Antonius Giamin
Date: early 20th Century
Object number: DW0590
James Ferguson
Date: circa 1760
Accessories: case
Object number: 1998-1-1416
