Museo Galileo
italiano
previous
Virtual Museum
Nocturnal and sundial
    • Setting:
      Room II
    • Maker:
      Girolamo della Volpaia [attr.]
    • Place:
      Florence
    • Date:
      16th cent.
    • Materials:
      brass
    • Dimensions:
      diameter 133 mm
    • Inventory:
      1286
    • Nocturnal and sundial (Inv. 1286)
    • Nocturnal and sundial (Inv. 1286)

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 a sundial and a shadow square. The instrument closely resembles items inv. 2503 and inv. 3811, and was probably made by Girolamo della Volpaia. Provenance: Vincenzo Viviani bequest.