Lot 171

Attributed to Paul Reinmann, Nuremberg, 57 x 89 x 12 mm, circa 1600
A portable folding multi-coloured ivory equatorial sundial
Case: ivory. A round horizontal dial on an ivory baseplate with hour division encloses an inset compass. A lid connected by hinges has the indications of twenty cieties. The gnomon is a piece of string spanning between the two plates; different pole heights can be set by feeding the string through one of three holes in the lid. The baseplate has a small compartment on the left side that can be covered with a small brass lid - probably intended for keeping spare parts such as pieces of string.
Paul Reinman was a compass and instrument maker in Nuremberg, who became a master around 1580. He specialised in folding sundials made from ivory, which he often ornamented with gilt metal fittings. Reinman’s instruments were of exceptional quality; his master’s mark was a crown.

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