floating sundial
Date1850
Inventory Number7236
ClassificationSundial
Subject
Maker
English
Place of Origin
DimensionsOverall: 0.1 lb., 5.4 x 2.8 x 5.4 x 5.4 cm (0.1 kg, 2 1/8 x 1 1/8 x 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 in.)
Overall - Storage: 2.8 x 5.4 x 5.4 cm (1 1/8 x 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 in.)
Overall - Storage: 2.8 x 5.4 x 5.4 cm (1 1/8 x 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 in.)
Material
AccessoriesNone.
DescriptionFloating Magnetic Dial in light colored wooden case with cover. Floating magnetic compass card with fixed 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 the 16 major points marked fleur-de-lys, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, and NNW.,circular,Instruction for use of the sundial are printed on a paper attached to the bottom of the wooden case.
Curatorial RemarksChristie's DC830/127
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.
ProvenanceJoseph Drecker, Aachen, Germany, before 1928; Frederik Casparus Wieder, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 1928; D. P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1959; gift to CHSI, ca. 1987.
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