Andreas VOGLER (circa 1730 - 1800)
Augsburg, Germany, mid 18th century
Gilt brass and glass
H. 7 (open); L 6.7 cm
An octagonal gilt brass equinoctial portable sundial, consisting of a compass, fixed to the back by three small screws, bearing on its base the direction of the four cardinal points engraved with the first two letters of their names in Latin, an hour circle that can be turned according to the indications of the latitudes engraved on the cursor, a folding needle-shaped gnomon located at the centre of a diametral axis and a folding support with cut-out scrolls and a lead screw aimed at a point.
On the reverse, the compass drum is marked with certain cities with their respective latitudes: ‘Elev Pol (abbreviation for de Elevatio Poliarum) Augsbu Brisgau Cracau (for Krakow) Prag 50 (for Prague) Amfter London 52 Hamburg 54 Petersburg 60’ and is signed ‘And. Vogl’ for Andreas Vogler. It stands on three legs.
Ref : 5588
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON