Description

[Krigner (Solomon), attributed to], Mechanical equinoctial sundial, circa 1700.

Brass, gilt and silvered brass, steel, and glass; closed oval case: 8.3 x 5.7 cm.

This unsigned mechanical equinoctial sundial is attributable to Solomon Krigner, a Polish maker of scientific instruments active in Warsaw and Malbork between 1690 and 1730. He is best known today for his oval-shaped mechanical sundials in gilt brass, typical of his production, of which only about fifteen examples survive (mainly in Polish public collections, but also in German (Dresden) and English (Oxford) collections; see Maciej Lose’s study on Krigner, which lists all known sundials).

In an oval case made of gilt brass, there is a compass, its pointer and four cardinal points, a silver hour circle with a central gnomon and a suspended lead weight, all of which folds for transport. The hour arc is adjusted vertically by a mechanism controlled by a circular latitude dial, the focus of which is manually adjusted.

This example is complete and in strictly original condition, which is rare for this type of very fragile dial. There are two minor cracks in the glass, which do not affect the instrument’s use.