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Magnetic Azimuth Diptych Sundial

Dieppe, France was the center of manufacture of ivory diptych sundials of a type different than those principally made in Nuremberg, Germany. The example shown here has a movable hour scale inside the compass box and uses the compass needle as the index of the hour when the sundial is oriented properly. The lunar volvelle on this sundial also helps to determine the tides.

Curator Sara Schechner gives a demonstration of this type of sundial.


CHSI Inv. Number 7568
Date: 1636
Leonhart Miller
Nuremburg, Germany


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