1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910483247103321

Autore

Desborough Jane

Titolo

The Changing Face of Early Modern Time, 1550–1770 / / by Jane Desborough

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Cham : , : Springer International Publishing : , : Imprint : Palgrave Macmillan, , 2019

ISBN

3-030-15353-3

Edizione

[1st ed. 2019.]

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (299 pages)

Disciplina

305.552

681.110903

Soggetti

Intellectual life—History

Europe—History—1492-

Technology—History

Civilization—History

Intellectual Studies

History of Early Modern Europe

History of Technology

Cultural History

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di contenuto

1 Introduction -- 2 Communication Methods -- 3 Trust and Distrust -- 4 Tools of Enablement -- 5 Calendrical Insight -- 6 Lunar Wisdom -- 7 Astronomical Knowledge -- 7 Conclusion.

Sommario/riassunto

‘‘In this compelling interdisciplinary book, Jane Desborough brings lucid academic analysis to explore the practical world of skilled craftsmanship. Focusing on Britain, but with extended European comparisons, she examines over 250 dials to reveal how their multi-functional appearance gradually evolved into a standard format... a brilliantly original and comprehensive approach.’’ Patricia Fara, President of the Antiquarian Horological Society and Emeritus Fellow, Clare College, University of Cambridge, UK ‘’By showing the ways in which the information conveyed by clock and watch dials changed over time, Jane Desborough’s excellent book reveals and explains the changing needs of their owners and therefore the underlying changes



in society and culture. The result is eye-opening, enlightening, and continually fascinating.’’ John Henry, Professor Emeritus, University of Edinburgh, UK This book provides a reinterpretation of early modern clock and watch dials on the basis of use. Between 1550 and the emergence of a standard format in 1770, dials represented combinations of calendrical, lunar and astronomical information using multiple concentric rings, subsidiary dials and apertures. Change was gradual, but significant. Over the course of eight chapters and with reference to thirty-five exceptional images, this book unlocks the meaning embedded within these early combinations. The true significance of dial change can only be fully understood by comparing dials with printed paper sources such as almanacs, diagrams and craft pamphlets. Clock and watch makers drew on traditional communication methods, used different formats to generate trust in their work, and tried to help users in different contexts. The calendar, lunar and astronomical functions were useful as a memory prompt for astrology up until the mid-late seventeenth century. .