Lot 168

Tucher family, Nürnberg, 74 x 124 x 23 mm, circa 1610
A magnificent coloured diptych azimuth dial with compass and calendar
Case: ivory, gilt brass.
This sundial bears the serpent mark of the Tucher family in Nuremberg; with its gilt corner fittings and the matching clasp it reminds the viewer of a precious leather-bound medieval script. In addition to two compasses inside, a table with the conversion between Julian and Gregorian calendars is available; this sundial was most likely created not too long after the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582.
The Tucher family of Nuremberg was renowned over generations for their compasses. Their work - always marked with the serpent - can be viewed in many museums. According to the "Nürnberger Künstlerlexikon" (record of artists in Nuremberg) by Manfred Grieb (Munich 2007), it was mainly Thomas Tucher (1590-1645), who used gilt metal fittings regularly. It is therefore quite possible that he may have created this sundial.

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