floating sundial
Date1890
Inventory Number7922
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
English
Place of Origin
Dimensions2.5 × 3.7 × 3.7 cm (1 × 1 7/16 × 1 7/16 in.)
Material
DescriptionFloating Magnetic Dial in brass case. Floating magnetic compass card withfixed gnomon. The chapter ring is printed on the floating compass card with hours marked from IIII to XII to VIII with 15 minute subdivisions. The compass rose is divided into 64 points with 16points marked fleur-de-lys, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, and NNW.,circular,The Equation of Time is provided on a printed paper disk glued to the inside of the lid.
FunctionThe local time is indicated by the shadow of a self-orienting gnomon mounted on a magnetic compass card. This design is intended to be used at one specific latitude and magnetic deviation.
ProvenanceHarold Clarence Ernst, MD, Boston, c. 1900-1922 (no. 229); Mrs. Ellen L. Ernst (his widow), Jamaica Plain, MA, 1922; on loan to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1923-1938; gift to Harvard College Observatory, 1938; transfer to CHSI, 1964.
Elliott Brothers
Date: circa 1890
Accessories: original mahogany case; case key (made from an old one by Richard Ketchen in December 1997)
Object number: DW0529
Christiaen Christiaensen
Date: circa 1650
Accessories: None. On 6/22/98 an envelope with the chapter ring for this dial was found in 1V-2b. JR. Chapter ring added to unit 6/13/02G CK
Object number: 7262
