This square horizontal sundial consists of a brass dial and gnomon, a wooden base, and a silver compass inset in the center of the dial. The compass has a needle and four points. The dial is calibrated from 1 to 12 and from 1 to 12 for a total of twenty-four hours. Each hour is divided into eight parts. Inside this calibration, the dial is calibrated again from I to XII with the hour divided into four parts. The gnomon folds up to a vertical position. The dial is screwed to the wooden base in four places. The base is covered with red paper.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.