Lot 11
11
A fine string-gnomon Sun and Moon Dial
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A fine string-gnomon Sun and Moon Dial

BY JOHANN MARTIN (1642-1721), LATE 17TH CENTURY

Details
A fine string-gnomon Sun and Moon Dial
by Johann Martin (1642-1721), late 17th century
shaped and decorated gilt-brass folding arm for gnomon (later string), with holes engraved for latitudes 50, 49, 48, 47, 46, 45, octagonal gilt brass plate with floral motifs to corners, silver hour plate engraved Horizontale Sol & Lunare with outer hour scale IIII-XII-VIII, divided to the half-hour, inner scale AET. Lunar 28-1, silver volvelle with gilt-brass pointer 1-12,1-12, silver compass plate SE, OR, ME, OC, gilt-brass compass holder with silvered base engraved for 18 towns, three silvered bun feet, shaped and decorated silvered brace for plumb bob, signed Johañ Martin in Augsburg 48.
2½in. (6.5cm.) diameter
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Johann Martin, the step-brother of Johann Willebrand (see lot 10), was one of the finest dial makers in Augsburg, celebrated for the quality of the pieces that he produced - Syndram judges that: "Der hohe rang der Sonnenuhrproduktion Augsburgs im ausgehenden 17. und fast im gesamten 18.Jahrhundert geht gleichermaen auf Johann Martin und Nikolaus Rugendas (III.) zurck." (Wissenschaftliche Instrumente und Sonnenuhren, Munich 1989, p. 167).

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