A 16th Century German Inclining String-Gnomon Sundial By Ulrich Schniep

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By Dr. A.N. Gilai

 

This is a portable sundial signed *15*V*S*85*, [VLRICH SCHNIEP 1585]. The instrument is composed of a gilt brass rectangular box 60 mm (2.3 inch) long with hinged lid, engraved with very beautiful decoration on all of its faces. The provenance of this dial is fully documented. It is a masterpiece from the Time Museum, Chicago, inventory No. 1082 (See figure 1). Ulrich Schniep, the maker of this ingenious sundial was born in Wiesensteig (near Ulm) and was active from 1545 onwards. His craftsmanship was sought out by wealthy clients such as Emperor Charles V (1500-58) King of Spain, Ferdinand I, king of Bohemia (1503-64) and Emperor Maximilian II (1527-76), the Holy Roman emperor. He was granted a license in Munich in 1554 and was appointed as the time-telling instrument maker to Wilhelm V, Duke of Bavaria (1548-1626). Ulrich Schniep died in the early summer of 1588 This inclining sundial has 6 main parts:

(1). 'TABULA ATITUDINIS REGION[AR]U[M]' (Table of the latitudes of places), with engraved names and latitudes of 36 major European cities.
 

Ancona (Ancona IT) 44 Inspruch (Innsbruck AU) 47
Antuerpia (Antwerp BEL) 51 Londinum (London UK) 52
Augusta ui[ndelicorum] (Augsburg GER) 43 Mediolanu (Milan IT) 45
Argentina 40 Masilia (Marseille FR) 45
Basilea (Basel SW) 48 Monachum (Munich GER) 48
Brixia (Brescia IT) 46 Norimberg (Nuremberg GER) 40
Bononia (Bologne IT) 45 Neapolis (Naples IT) 41
Bronschugia (Braunschweig) 55 Praga (Prague CZ) 50
Colonia (Cologne GER) 51 Parisius (Paris FR) 48
Cracouia (Krakow POL) 50 Roma (Rome IT) 43
Francoford 50 Sauona 45
Florentia (Florence IT) 43 Salisburgum (Sallingberg GER) 48
Ferraria 43 Tubingna (Tubingen GER) 43
Genua (Genoa IT) 43 Tolerum (Toledo SP) 41
Gratza (Graz AU) 47 Vratislauia (Bratislava SLOV) 51
Groniga (Groningen NL) 53 Venetiae (Venice IT) 45
Heydelberg (Heidelberg GER) 50 Viennae (Vienna AU) 43
Hamiburg (Hamburg GER) 54 Vuitemberg (Wittenberg GER) 52


(2). The inner lid of the sundial contains at one end the maker's signature, at the other, the title of the instrument: 'VIATORIVM' (Traveler timepiece). At the center is a volvelle entitled: 'SEPTENTRIO[N] / NERI.DIES' (Rotating scale for northern daylight time) used to convert astronomical hours (counted from midday) to Italian hours (counted from sunset), with the instruction 'HEBETVR HORA ITALICA SI 24 PONAS SVPER HORM OCCAYSVS' (Italian hours can be found if 24 is placed beside the time of sunset). In the four corners are cardinal directions: 'OCCIDENS' (West - sunset direction); 'ORIENS' (East - sunrise direction).
(3). The decorated inclining plate with engraving of the hour lines from 3 am to 9 pm and half-hour divisions.
(4). Sprung folding gnomon support with plummet, shaped and engraved as two monstrous fish and serves as a holder for the upper end of the string gnomon. The plummet is used to adjust the inclination for latitudes over a scale of 42° - 52°.
(5). Rounded pivoted compass plate with glazed compass compartment (lacks needle). The plate is made to rotate in order to adjust the compass over a graduated scale of ±30° for compensating the declination error between magnetic and true north. As engraved on the rim: GRAD DECMIN ACIO MAGNETIS 60, 70, 80, 90, 10, 20, 30.
(6). The brass box base is engraved with formal strap work and stylized leaf decoration, which is continued over the sides of the instruments.

About fifty instruments by Ulrich Schniep (mainly sundials and gunner's instruments) are known, the earliest dating from 1553 and the latest to 1588. Only two other Inclining String-Gnomon Sundial are registered: One at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, Inventory No. 40748, (Figure 2), the other in the British Museum London, Registration no. MLA 1844, 7-30.1 (Figure 3). 

               Figure 1. Inclining String-Gnomon Sundial By Ulrich Schniep from Gilai Collectibles (sold).

Figure 2. Inclining String-Gnomon Sundial By Ulrich Schniep from the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, Inventory No. 40748.

Figure 3. Inclining String-Gnomon Sundial By Ulrich Schniep from the British Museum London, Registration no. MLA 1844, 7-30.1


References: Rohde, Alfred: Die Geschichte der Wissenschaftlichen Instrumente….Leipzig, 1923.
http://www.isin.org/
http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/

 

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