The Nuremberg Sundial, also known as the “Polyhedral Sundial” or “Nuremberg Cube,” is a type of portable sundial that was popular during the 16th century. This intricate device was designed not only as a practical tool for measuring time but also as a piece of art and a symbol of intellectual status.

Typically made of metal, such as bronze, the Nuremberg Sundial consists of several flat sundials mounted in a polyhedral arrangement, often in the form of a cube or more complex polyhedron. Each face of the polyhedron features a different sundial, suitable for use at different latitudes or at different times of the year. Some of these polyhedral clocks also included a small compass to correctly align the clock with magnetic north, thus increasing the accuracy of time measurement.

The design of the Nuremberg Sundial allowed travelers to determine local time with reasonable accuracy, making it a valuable tool for merchants, navigators, and scholars of the time. Additionally, these clocks were often engraved with inscriptions, decorations, and sometimes even calendars, making them valuable and collectible personal items.

The production of these clocks was concentrated in the city of Nuremberg, Germany, which was a significant center for the manufacturing of scientific instruments in Europe during the Renaissance. The skill and creativity of Nuremberg craftsmen in producing these sophisticated clocks reflect the technical advancement and interest in the study of time and astronomy that characterized the period.

Today, Nuremberg Sundials are rare items sought after by collectors of historical and scientific artifacts. They not only serve as witnesses to human ingenuity in time measurement before the era of accurate mechanical clocks but also as beautiful examples of the fusion of science, art, and craftsmanship of the Renaissance.