Lot Essay
An unusual (if somewhat crude) dial.
Details
Italian meridian dial
manuscript on pasteboard, decorated with gilt floral borders, the vertical board inscribed MERIDIANUM IN PLANO [...] Opera, & industra F. Timothei de Brixia Ord. Capuccinorum. Anno 1753., two doors with brass hooks open to secure the board, a brass sum with pinhole aperture to the top, the base unfolds to reveal a zodiacal and monthly calendar with the solstices at either end (a few repairs to the calendar, adhesive reinforcements to the doors)
34½in. (88cm.) long when extended
manuscript on pasteboard, decorated with gilt floral borders, the vertical board inscribed MERIDIANUM IN PLANO [...] Opera, & industra F. Timothei de Brixia Ord. Capuccinorum. Anno 1753., two doors with brass hooks open to secure the board, a brass sum with pinhole aperture to the top, the base unfolds to reveal a zodiacal and monthly calendar with the solstices at either end (a few repairs to the calendar, adhesive reinforcements to the doors)
34½in. (88cm.) long when extended
Literature
A similar example in Brusa, G. La misura del tempo; L'antico splendore dell'orologeria italian dal XV al XVIII secolo (Trento, 2005) no.41.