This fully functional replica of a so-called peasant's ring was made according to the model of a historical ring sundial from 1721.
The farmer's ring is a type of altitude sundial, also known as a sun ring or ring sundial. This piece of jewelry is worn around the neck on a leather cord (but can also be worn as a finger ring).
The following inscription is found on the outside: JFMAMJ - JASOND, and on the inside: 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8.
The sun ring was invented in the 15th century by the astronomers Regiomontanus and Peuerbach. It remained in use until the 19th century (primarily in rural areas) to determine the time of day.
Unlike conventional sundials, which determine the time of day based on the direction of the sun, the ring sundial uses the height of the sun to measure time.
The advantage of such an altitude sundial is that, unlike a "normal" sundial, it can also be used portably. The disadvantage, however, is that the user always needs to know whether it is still morning or already afternoon.
The ring sundial cannot be switched from summer to winter time, and is therefore set to winter time by default. In summer, you have to add one hour.
On the farmer's ring, the clock face is located on the inner surface of the ring. The clock hand is an image of the sun, projected through a hole in the ring onto the inside of the ring.
A farmer's ring, however, can only be used at a specific latitude or pole. To determine the time of day, the sun's declination, i.e., the season, must also be known.
To read the time, the farmer's ring is hung up and rotated around the vertical axis so that the spot of light falls on the valid declination circle.
First, you need to roughly set the central setting ring to the current date. This makes sense, since the so-called diurnal arc, i.e., the position of the sun, changes throughout the year.
Next, let the ring sundial hang freely from its cord and align the hole in the ring with the sun. Ideally, the inner ring should be shaded by the outer ring to better see the point of light entering the ring. This point of light will then indicate the time, more or less accurately.
- The ring sundial is made of high-quality bronze.
- The farmer's ring has the following outer dimensions: 31 x 23, width 1 cm
- The inside diameter of the ring sundial is one size: 0.77 inch (19.5 mm)
- Weight: approx. 0.35 oz (10 g)
The photo shows the ring from three different perspectives!
