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Details
An early 17th-Century German ivory diptych dial,
undated, signed T.D. (Thomas Tcher) with maker's mark
FACE Ia, upper leaf, outer face: sixteen compass directions in red and brown around a scale calibrated 1-32, foliate decoration with two putti in red and green, aperture (colour faded, crack).
FACE Ib, upper leaf, inner face: pin gnomon dials in red and black for QVANTITAS DIEi calibrated 8-16 with figures for the houses of the Zodiac, and PEHMISCHE VHR further labelled P 50 G and calibrated 14-24, four string gnomon holes for latitudes 42, 48, 50 and 54, with extensive foliate decoration on green and brown, with flowers and two birds, signature and maker's mark in the form of a snake at the base.
FACE IIa, lower leaf, inner face: compass bowl inscribed with initials for wind directions, fleur-de-lys and maker's mark twice (glass and needle missing) surrounded by two scales of hours 4-12-8 and one of IV-XII-VIII hours for latitudes 42, 48 and 54, with two further gilt brass pin gnomon dials (one missing) the remaining one labelled WELSC VHR and P 45 G and calibrated 10-22, with surrounding foliate decoration in green and brown with three birds.
FACE IIb, lower leaf, outer face: circular scale for Gregorian and Julian epacts in red and black and starting at 17 and 7 respectively, with inner scales 1-29 and 1-12 twice (central lunar volvelle missing), with surrounding foliate decoration with flowers (colours faded.)
The four corners of both leafs with foliate decorated gilt brass spandrels incorporating bun feet, brass clasp to keep closed (defective), three further small brass hooks and eyes to keep open or closed (defective) -- 5in. (13.3cm.) long
See Colour Illustration and Details
undated, signed T.D. (Thomas Tcher) with maker's mark
FACE Ia, upper leaf, outer face: sixteen compass directions in red and brown around a scale calibrated 1-32, foliate decoration with two putti in red and green, aperture (colour faded, crack).
FACE Ib, upper leaf, inner face: pin gnomon dials in red and black for QVANTITAS DIEi calibrated 8-16 with figures for the houses of the Zodiac, and PEHMISCHE VHR further labelled P 50 G and calibrated 14-24, four string gnomon holes for latitudes 42, 48, 50 and 54, with extensive foliate decoration on green and brown, with flowers and two birds, signature and maker's mark in the form of a snake at the base.
FACE IIa, lower leaf, inner face: compass bowl inscribed with initials for wind directions, fleur-de-lys and maker's mark twice (glass and needle missing) surrounded by two scales of hours 4-12-8 and one of IV-XII-VIII hours for latitudes 42, 48 and 54, with two further gilt brass pin gnomon dials (one missing) the remaining one labelled WELSC VHR and P 45 G and calibrated 10-22, with surrounding foliate decoration in green and brown with three birds.
FACE IIb, lower leaf, outer face: circular scale for Gregorian and Julian epacts in red and black and starting at 17 and 7 respectively, with inner scales 1-29 and 1-12 twice (central lunar volvelle missing), with surrounding foliate decoration with flowers (colours faded.)
The four corners of both leafs with foliate decorated gilt brass spandrels incorporating bun feet, brass clasp to keep closed (defective), three further small brass hooks and eyes to keep open or closed (defective) -- 5in. (13.3cm.) long
See Colour Illustration and Details