Big Bronze 4.5" Round Folding Sundial Compass in a wood box
This circular sundial has an in-built compass, and stands on three legs. Diameter 11.5 cm.
Portable sundials were used in the latter half of the 16th century by explorers & navigators to tell the time anywhere in the world.
This sundial has an internal magnetic compass. The top of the sundial is hinged and a curved scale is used to set your local latitude angle. With the magnetic compass the sundial can be oriented north. The compass features a needle lift mechanism to protect the compass bearing during transport.
To tell the time, the gnomon, casts the sun’s shadow on the clock face when the sliding scale is scale is set at the local latitude. The whole instrument being can be orientated in the meridian through the use of the compass in the base.
The 3 adjustable legs are to ensure the instrument is level.
The top of the sundial can lay down flat & both latitude scale & sundial vane fold down flat for compact storage.
This sundial is an essential instrument for collectors & nautical enthusiasts.