Augsburg-made sundials enjoyed great popularity during the 18th century.

The Voglers contributed to the popularization of this instrument in the 18th century. They have a characteristic style of equinoctial sundial that became known as "Augsburg clocks" for the city in which they were made. The lower part of the original instrument, contained the compass, with its casing inscribed with the latitudes of several important cities between 32º and 60º north.

Description:

This sundial is in the shape of a quadrant. On the upper part are three hinges that allow the hourly scale, latitude limb and perpendicular to lie flat. The surface of the base not occupied by the compass is beautifully decorated with floral fretwork.

The octagonal-shaped hour scale, with alternating convex and concave sides, has the hours in Roman numerals engraved on the upper side from III in the morning to IX at night, and in Arab numerals on the interior border from 3 in the morning to 9 at night.

The gnomon is a needle that rests on the axis of the diametric turntable at the six-hour line.

The latitude limb is the circular sector where the scale is engraved. The hour scale lies over it, using a special recess for this function.

Mode of use:

• The three folding pieces must first be opened:
• Place the gnomon upward (northward) in spring and summer and down (southerly) in autumn and winter.
• Place the hour scale over the limb on the latitude point that corresponds to the place of the reading.
• Place it on a horizontal surface, turn the instrument until the compass needle is over the direction of magnetic north (N).
• In these conditions, it is ready to show the solar time, indicated by the shadow of the gnomon.