Marshall Rare Books
A very fine Painted Wood and Gilt Brass Diptych Dial
Paris, c. 1630, 3in. (7.5cm.) longunsigned and undated, leaf 1b with gilt painted floral decoration, gilt brass lunar volvelle with the hours alternatively polished and matt, painted red and blue lunar phase calendar, leaf 2a with gilt brass horizontal dial for 48° with hours alternatively polished and matt, four punched stars 16-point painted compass rose and blue needle, outer leaves with incised square decoration with gilt painted grooves to edges.
Paris, c. 1630, 3in. (7.5cm.) longunsigned and undated, leaf 1b with gilt painted floral decoration, gilt brass lunar volvelle with the hours alternatively polished and matt, painted red and blue lunar phase calendar, leaf 2a with gilt brass horizontal dial for 48° with hours alternatively polished and matt, four punched stars 16-point painted compass rose and blue needle, outer leaves with incised square decoration with gilt painted grooves to edges.
Some sundials from this workshop are signed Pierre Dujardin, one in the Adler Planetarium, Chicago, and another at the Museé national de la Renaissance (dated 1627). Others are occasionally found with a punched mark RF (such as at the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford Inv. 67063). The present dial shares the decorations and style of this workshop, and the punched stars may represent a maker’s mark.
