Museo Galileo
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Virtual Museum
Nocturnal and sundial
    • Setting:
      Room II
    • Maker:
      Girolamo della Volpaia
    • Place:
      Florence
    • Date:
      1568
    • Materials:
      brass
    • Dimensions:
      diameter 147 mm
    • Inventory:
      2503
    • Nocturnal and sundial (Inv. 2503)
    • Nocturnal and sundial (Inv. 2503)

This nocturnal consists of three overlapping disks of different diameters: the largest shows the zodiacal calendar; the middle one carries the hours and the index; the smallest—a toothed disk—has a long index arm and the inscription "Horologium nocturnum." On the back are engraved two altitude quadrants, hour lines for the sundial, a shadow square and, in the center a "Tabula Solis motus" (Table of the motion of the Sun) indicating the Sun's entrance into the zodiac signs. Signed by Girolamo della Volpaia and set for latitude 43°30' (Florence). Similar to items inv. 1286 and 3811. Provenance: Medici collections.