A brass table sundial, made by Johann Engelbrecht in Beraun (Bohemia) in the second half of the 17th century. The foldable gnomon has a plumb bob with latitude scale so that the instrument can be positioned with three screws and used in different locations. The time is indicated by the shadow of the gnomon on the outer scale which has quarter-hour divisions. The curves show the height of the sun. • The maker, Johann Engelbrecht, was active in Beraun near Prague. There are several of his sundials in museums, for instance in the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien. His son Johann II followed in his footsteps. • Literature: J. Abeler, Meister der Uhrmacherkunst, Wuppertal, 2010, p. 137; E. Zinner, Astronomische Instrumente, München, 1972, p. 87. |
The Horological Foundation Desk Diary Project. |