NG-749

About this artwork

Horizontale zonnewijzer van roodkoper en messing. Gesigneerd met D. Coster Sculpsit. Het instrument is versierd met het wapen van Wassenaar.

Art Historical Context

**NG-749: Horizontal Sundial by David C (ca. 1719–1733)** This exquisite horizontal sundial, crafted from gleaming red copper and brass, measures 42 cm long, 42 cm wide, and 27.6 cm high, with a 0.5 cm thickness Signed "D. Coster Sculpsit" – Latin for "sculpted by David Coster" – it exemplifies the precision craftsmanship of early 18th Dutch instrument makers. Adorned with the noble coat of arms of Wassenaar, a prestigious municipality near The Hague, the piece blends functionality with heraldic elegance, its engraved surfaces capturing sunlight to cast accurate shadows for timekeeping. David Coster, a renowned maker of scientific instruments in the Netherlands during the Dutch Golden Age's twilight, produced tools that bridged art and science. Sundials like this one were vital before affordable clocks, reflecting Enlightenment-era fascination with astronomy and mechanics. The horizontal design, suited for tabletop use, allowed precise readings across latitudes, showcasing advanced gnomon (shadow-casting pointer) engineering. Its cultural significance lies in its patronage: the Wassenaar arms suggest it was commissioned for an aristocratic family, symbolizing status and intellectual pursuit. Today, NG-749 stands as a testament to Baroque-era metalworking techniques – intricate engraving on mixed metals for durability and shine – inviting visitors to ponder how our ancestors measured time with such artistry.