CreatorHans Tröschel

Place of OriginNürnberg

Date1591

DescriptionA particularly interesting item housed by The History Museum of Iași is a portable diptych sundial. Made in ivory, it is flat, oval-shaped, and has a brass bow. The item is engraved with the name “HANS TRÖSCHEL” and the year “ANNO MDXCI” (1591).The sundial was discovered in a 17th century-jeweller’s shop which had been exposed to fire, and gives the ivory a striking ebony-like colour. Hans Tröschel the Elder (1540-1612) was a famous German manufacturer of watches and compasses, and author of several astronomy compendia. He is one of the “Three Nürnberg Compassmacher”, the other two being Hans Tröschel the Younger and David Beringer.A similar sundial manufactured by Tröschel in 1582 is housed by the Museum of the History of Science at the University of Oxford.

Tagsportable diptych, sundial

Dimensions56mm x 42 mm

Material/Mediumivory, with copper and brass accessories

Image Rights HolderThe “Moldova” National Museum Complex of Iași, The History Museum of Moldavia, Iași, Romania

Photographic CreditsThe “Moldova” National Museum Complex of Iași, The History Museum of Moldavia, Iași, Romania