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History of Science Museum

Mechanical Equinoctial Dial, by Michael Bergauuer, Innsbruck, Late 17th Century

Inventory Number 51664


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.51664

Item type
Object
Provenance
From the Michel Collection; from the Billmeir Collection
Primary inscriptions
"MICHAEL BERGAU / UER . A . INSPRUG" in red
Physical material
Gilt and silvered brass
Object type
Equinoctial dial
Dimensions
Height: 86mm Width: 82mm
Inventory No
51664
Accession Number
1957-84/103

Description

Octagonal plate; inset compass; sprung folding plumb level; on the underside two latitude tables in red, a vertical latitude cam turning within a scale 0-60° and a screw (to maintain the elevation of the hour plate?); three feet. The hour plate has an index arm with geared minute dial. In principle the instrument can also serve as a moon dial: within the scale of hours there is a scale for the age of the moon surrounding a rotatable scale of hours. With original leather-covered case.