Georg KARL (South Germany, active at the... - Lot 96 - Le Floc'h

Lot 96
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6000 - 8000 EUR
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Result : 24 000EUR
Georg KARL (South Germany, active at the... - Lot 96 - Le Floc'h
Georg KARL (South Germany, active at the end of the 16th century). A gilt brass astronomical set in octagonal shape with three flaps, signed *G°°°°K* and dated M*D*XCIX* for "Georg Karl 1599" (wears). High. 9.8 cm - Width: 8.2 cm - Depth: 2.1 cm Side Ia: Lobed oval lid with foliage decoration showing a zodiacal calendar with the names of the signs and months in German, each sign with its symbol. 0° Aries equivalent to 10.5 March. At the centre of this calendar are two moving parts: one bearing the index for the zodiacal calendar and a scale of two times twenty-four hours in Roman numerals, the other, engraved in its centre with an aspectarium (diagram showing the angular relationships between the planets) showing the corresponding age and phase of the moon through two windows. The index for the calendar has an arm on the side of the line of faith that embraces the ten-day divisions, allowing simultaneous reading of the dates between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Side Ib: Dial scale with semi-circular Roman numerals for 46° reading at thirty minutes, surmounted by a decoration consisting of an angel's head flanked by a garland of flowers. This dial should have been read against the shadow of a common thread-axis with the horizontal dial engraved on the opposite side. Face Iia: Hour scale with Roman numerals reading at thirty minutes with floral decoration above two dials with a small vertical gnomon for the Italian (1 to 24 from sunset) and Babylonian (1 to 24 from sunrise) hours, both crossed by seasonal lines. Side IIb: Scale of the latitudes of twenty cities in the German-speaking area between 49° and 51° and a conversion scale between equal hours counted from sunrise to sunset. Side IIIa: Four time scales reading at thirty minutes for 48°, 49°, 50° and 51° latitude. The plumb level is foldable while the gnomon is foldable and adjustable. In the centre is a compass with a declination mark for a value between 12° and 14° east. (the needle and glass are missing). Side IIIb: Table of months with indication of the length of days and nights and the time of sunrise and sunset. Signature and date (one foot and a rivet for fixing the box is missing). By the indications it presents and their similar layout, this dial is to be compared with a compendium signed ' ** Georg * Karl ** * Anno MDXCVIII ** ', and kept at the Museum of History of Science of Oxford (inv 47,563). Unlike ours, the Oxford copy is rectangular, diptych and is only concerned with the latitude of 48°. The punches used are not all the same, but they look alike, as if coming from the same set of tools. Apart from this copy and the one we are presenting, we do not know any other work by Georg Karl but we can assume, thanks to the latitudes mentioned on these works, that he must have worked in the south of Germany between Augsburg, Nuremberg and Munich. Astronomical compendium signed *G°°°°°K*, dated M*D*XCIX* for 'Georg Karl 1599'. Gilt brass (worn), 9.8 cm. x 8.2 cm. x 2.1cm. Octagonal box with three hinged leaves : Face Ia: Lobed oval cover, with floral decoration, carrying a zodiacal calendar with the names of the signs and the months (in German), each sign with its symbol. 0° Aries = 10.5 March. Within this calendar are two volvelles, one carrying an index for the calendar and a double hour scale of 24 in roman numerals; the other, showing the age and phase of the Moon by two openings, has its centre engraved with an aspectarium, a diagram presenting the angular relations between the planets. The point of the index has an arm embracing ten days set on the fiducial edge thus allowing a simultaneous reading of the date in the Julian and the Gregorian calendars. Face Ib: Semi-circular hour scale for dial drawn for 46° reading to thirty minutes with roman numerals surmounted by a mask symmetrically flanked by leaves and fruit. The dial would have been read with the aid of a string gnomon common with the horizontal dial engraved on Face IIa: reading to thirty minutes with roman numerals. Fruit and leaf decoration above the dial, and a pin gnomon dial for Italian (equal hours counted 1-24 from sunset), and Babylonian (equal hours counted 1-24 from sunrise), hours, the diagram traversed by season markings. Face IIb : Scale of latitudes for twenty German towns situated between 49° and 51°; conversion scale for Italian and Babylonian hours. Face IIIa : Four hour scales reading to 30 minutes for latitudes 48° ; 49°, 50° and 51°, folding and adjustable gnomon, off-centre folding plummet and holder; compass (lacks the needle and glass), with decl
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