Hemisferium Paper Pizarro Diptych

This is a reproduction of a Diptych dial, a type of sundial that gets its name from its two hinged leaves with waxed inner sides that open like a book.

Quadrants with a compass, introduced in the 15th century, were the first portable sundials. The compass is orientated to face the quadrant towards the north and the gnomon (a bit of cord or a flexible triangle) can be raised or lowered to accommodate the latitude where the compass is used. The gnomon casts a shadow on the dial to indicate the time of day.

The golden age of sundials lasted from the 15th century to the end of the 18th. Their diversity of shapes, materials and decorations was vast. This is one of many examples.

Dials like these were used by the likes of Francisco Pizarro, a Spanish Conquistador, best known for his expeditions to South America that led to the Spanish conquest of Peru and him founding the city of Lima. During the Age of Discovery, the conquistadors would sail around the world-conquering territory, colonising far lands and opening trade routes.

The Diptych measures 70mm in length, 50mm across, and 20mm thick.

Material: MDF tainted and polished, crystal (polycarbonate) over the magnetic compass, coloured paper.