A very rare mid 17th century anonymous 3.5 inch horizontal brass sundial with original gnomon. The centre of the dial is decorated with a series of concentric circles and circular arcs to form a ‘moon’ or ‘eclipse’ pattern often seen on early dials. Hour lines radiate from the outer of these circles. The Roman numerals in the chapter ring (IIII-XII-VIII) are inward facing and the included angles of the Xs and Vs are quite wide. The dial does not have a noon gap which is common on early clockmakers dials. In general, the delineation appears to be carefully done with the VI-VI line passing through origin correctly and the other early/late hour lines being co-linear with the appropriate morning/afternoon lines. The outer rings are divided to half-and quarter-hours. This dial has probably been made by a provincial clockmaker who would have supplied it along with a clock to one of his customers where it would have sat on a windowsill in the house or conservatory. Dating from c1660, it is an exceptionally rare surviver.
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