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GERMANY A 16th century gilt and silvered compendium, c. 1560. Dimensions: A German 16th century gilt-copper compendium, c. 1580. The compendium consists of three parts, the box itself, a post that functions as a gnomon and a wind vane. The lid of the box has a hole in the middle, in which the wind vane can be positioned when the box is closed. Around (it?) the names of the winds are represented in champlevé: TRAMONTA (N), GRECO (NE), LEVANTE (E), SIRICCHIO (SE), OSTRO (S), LEBECHIO (SW), PONENTE (W), MASTRO (NW). In the compass rose there are the names of the wind directions in German, for example Nort/Norttenost/Nortnortost/Nortostnort/Nortost/Nortostost/Osttennort/Ost. On the inside of the lid there is a so-called volvelle, with which the difference between the moon time and the sun time can be established, surrounded by a Latin text (scala mensium mona ad quam libet septimanuam orame ponitur hora pro habebndis honsmicgralibus). The bottom part has a silvered chapter ring with Arabic numerals twice 1-12. A double-sided pointer can be used as an aide memoire when the time has been determined by placing the separate gnomon (a gilt brass post) in a hole. In the bottom there is also a compass for positioning the sundial. On the reverse side of the bottom part there is a champlevé text in German, which is only partly legible, but which seems to be a manual on how to use the instrument. • Dimensions: 50 mm. • Literature: M.Cowman, A Dial in Your Poke, Cambridge, 2011; H. Higton, Sundials, New York, 2001.

Source: http://mobile.crijns.com  

CS1304

 



The Horological Foundation Desk Diary Project.




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