{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O321730"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O321730/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BT8090/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2008BT8090/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2008BT8090","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2008BT8065","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KT4906","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false},{"assetRef":"2018KT4905","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O321730/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O321730","accessionNumber":"W.22-1954","objectType":"Nocturnal","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"This maritime device would have been used to measure time, based on the position of the stars in relation to Polaris, the North Star. The outer edge of the lower disc shows the months and days, while the inner disc depicts the hours. The inner disc would have been set to indicate the date, and Polaris sighted through the opening at the top of the instrument. The ‘pointer’ would then be rotated to the chosen ‘reference star’, which would give an indication of the time. This instrument was also known as a night-dial.","physicalDescription":"Engraved applewood nocturnal, a maritime device for telling the time at night from the stars.  The outline has incised markings.  The disc is in roughly circular form for horizontal holding by a handle with openwork heart-shaped device and trefoil terminal.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"unknown","id":"C168"},"association":{"text":"makers","id":"AAT251917"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"applewood","id":"AAT12340"}],"techniques":[{"text":"carving","id":"AAT53149"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Applewood, carved.","categories":[{"text":"Boats and ships","id":"THES260021"},{"text":"Tools & Equipment","id":"THES48883"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"FWK","id":"THES48597"},"images":["2008BT8090","2008BT8065","2018KT4906","2018KT4905"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES302447"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Nocturnal","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"England","id":"x28826"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1680-1720","earliest":"1680-01-01","latest":"1720-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Miss Eleanor C. Roper","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Width","value":"13","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"pointer and handle in line","note":""},{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"4.5","unit":"in","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"fixed disc","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"Given by Miss Eleanor C. Roper, Croydon Surrey (RF 54/2060)","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Engraved applewood nocturnal, a maritime device for telling the time at night from the stars.  English, 1680-1720.","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["W.22-1954"],"accessionNumberNum":"22","accessionNumberPrefix":"W","accessionYear":1954,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-22","recordCreationDate":"2009-06-24","availableToBook":true}}