Combined nocturnal, lunar volvelle and sundial

from the collection of the Dukes of Württemberg
French, dated 1599
Brass-gilt
Diameter ca 5 cm

Provenance: collection owned by the Dukes of Württemberg

This combined nocturnal, sundial and lunar volvelle is distinguished not only by its prestigious provenance, but also by consummate craftsmanship and its sophisticated conception as a compendium uniting several instruments used for measuring time in the smallest space imaginable. The date numerals ‘1599’ inscribed in a minute cartouche on the lower edge of the sundial and lunar volvelle indicate that this magnificent instrument is a prime piece of Renaissance scientifica. The only other known extant compendia are two virtually identical ones, in the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich and the Ralf Kern Collection, which are dated 1597 and 1591 respectively, and were evidently made in the same workshop. Since the 16th century, scientifica have played an essential part in the formation of Kunstkammer collections, especially at court. Scientific instruments represent one of the most important genres in the Kunstkammer because they were intended to vividly demonstrate that man is a small god: he is able to measure time and space with instruments and machines he has devised himself, and even to induce movement artificially through automata.