102nd Auction
2020/6/29
Lot 228
A collection of an equatorial sundial and a calendar disk
Johann Willebrand in Augsburg, 51 mm, circa 1700
A rare, small equatorial sundial with original box
Case: silver, partly firegilt, signed, octagonal plate. The geographic latitude of the observation point is set to the quarter-circle on the side. In connection with the magnetic compass the instrument is aligned to the north- south direction. The sun hand projects the position of the sun on the dial engraved with Arabic numbers. One is getting the true local time.On the backside of the ground-plate are engraved the geographical declinations from several European towns.
Johann Willebrand (1658-1726) and Johann Martin are considered to be amongst the best instrument designers and makers of their time. The precision and the craftsmanship they achieved in their constructions remains unrivalled - some of the finest details are only visible with a magnifying glass. Willebrand moved from Frankfurt to Augsburg in 1682 to work with his stepbrother Johann Martin.
Lit.: K. H. Pohl, "Alte Wissenschaften" (Old Sciences), Cologne.
Johann Willebrand in Augsburg, 51 mm, circa 1700
A rare, small equatorial sundial with original box
Case: silver, partly firegilt, signed, octagonal plate. The geographic latitude of the observation point is set to the quarter-circle on the side. In connection with the magnetic compass the instrument is aligned to the north- south direction. The sun hand projects the position of the sun on the dial engraved with Arabic numbers. One is getting the true local time.On the backside of the ground-plate are engraved the geographical declinations from several European towns.
Johann Willebrand (1658-1726) and Johann Martin are considered to be amongst the best instrument designers and makers of their time. The precision and the craftsmanship they achieved in their constructions remains unrivalled - some of the finest details are only visible with a magnifying glass. Willebrand moved from Frankfurt to Augsburg in 1682 to work with his stepbrother Johann Martin.
Lit.: K. H. Pohl, "Alte Wissenschaften" (Old Sciences), Cologne.
estimated
4.000—6.000 €
Price realized
-