string-gnomon sundial
Date1850
Inventory Number7205
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
Chinese
Cultural Region
Dimensionsopen: 8 × 7 × 10.3 cm (3 1/8 × 2 3/4 × 4 1/16 in.)
closed: 2.8 × 7 × 10.3 cm (1 1/8 × 2 3/4 × 4 1/16 in.)
case: 3.8 × 8.6 × 12.5 cm (1 1/2 × 3 3/8 × 4 15/16 in.)
closed: 2.8 × 7 × 10.3 cm (1 1/8 × 2 3/4 × 4 1/16 in.)
case: 3.8 × 8.6 × 12.5 cm (1 1/2 × 3 3/8 × 4 15/16 in.)
Material
Accessoriescase
DescriptionThe horizontal dial is mounted together with a small magnetic compass in a brass structure with three leveling screws. The gnomon for the dial is a string which is suspended by a support, hinged to rotate into the plane of the dial for storage. The chapter ring is marked with oriental characters. The gnomon is designed for a fixed latitude. The compass rose is divided into 4 points marked with the Kanji for the cardinal directions with no subdivisions. There compass markings are offset for a magnetic declination.
Accesories: A blue case which conforms to the outline of the object.
Accesories: A blue case which conforms to the outline of the object.
Curatorial RemarksChristie's DC830/118 Not matched to anything on the Gillingham Inventory.
FunctionTime finding at one latitude after orienting the gnomon to point toward true North.
ProvenanceDavid Wheatland purchased from Harrold E. Gillingham, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1949. Donated to CHSI c. 1985.
Pierre Le Maire II
Date: circa 1745
Accessories: plum bob; case
Object number: 7870
Chinese
Date: 1850
Accessories: wooden box (cover is missing?).
Object number: 7328
Japanese
Accessories: Partial netsuke attached to dial with cord.
Object number: 7981
