Description
ivory sundial Leonhart Miller signed and dated 1636.
Face 1A: Wind rose with 8 points 16 directions labeled in German. Sun face motif at center.
Face 1B: Zodiacal symbols, latitude table for European cities.
Face IIA: German lunar volverle with brass disc Initial Maker LM with maker marks.
Face IIB: Sun and moon decoration,Compass with fleur de lys maker mark Cardinal directions.
- Leaf 1a of this rectangular ivory diptych sundial has a wind rose (sun-face motif) with sixteen points labeled in German. . A foliate decoration extends around the rose and a metal protrusion is at each corner. A small circle near the hinge shows the north point in compass in leaf below. The pin for a hook which holds the diptych open also is missing. Leaf 1b contains a pin gnomon and dial labeled “QUANTITAS DIEI” (length of day). It is calibrated along a diagonal from left to right from 8 to 16 by ones. Zodiacal symbols are around the edges of the top. Below the zodiac is a vertical dial labeled from VI to XII to VI in Gothic-style Roman numerals. A sun face is at the center, small decorative stamps are along the top, and two engravings of a comet or meteor are near the hinge. A string gnomon connects leaves 1b and 2a. Leaf 2a contains a horizontal dial for an approximate latitude of 48-49 degrees. The dial is calibrated from 4 to 12 to 8 by units with asterisks at the half-hour points. An inset compass with glass and needle is labeled with abbreviations of the four Latin directions. Near “OCCI” is a fleur de lis. The compass is offset for variation at approximately five degrees east and twenty degrees west. Below the compass and hour dial is a pin gnomon dial for Babylonian hours (calibrated 1 to 14 in red) and Italian hours (calibrated 10 to 23 in black). A mark below this reads: LEONHART MILLER 1636. This Ivory sundial Leonhart Miller is in good condition.
