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History of Science Museum

Pocket Horizontal Sundial, by Augustine Ryther, London, 1585

Inventory Number 13314


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.13314

Subject
Dials
Item type
Object
Provenance
Presented by Mr Howard Dawes in 2012, who dedicated it to the memory of Professor Jim Bennett, the Museum’s Director from 1994-2012, after the latter's death in October 2023. Owned by Sir George St Paul of Snarford and Carlton in Lincolnshire, identified from the engraved coat of arms and the name "* Geo: Seyntpoll".
Primary inscriptions
"* AR * fecit * 1585 *" engraved on chapter ring; "* Geo: Seyntpoll" engraved under coat of arms on inner lid. Around the outside of the compass bowl "*VT * VITA * SIC *FVGIT * HORA *"
Physical material
Brass
Paper
Pigment
Physical technique
Gilt
Object type
Sundial
Dimensions
Height: 68mm Width: 42mm Depth: 15mm Weight: 0.05kg
Inventory No
13314
Accession Number
2012-6

Description

Oval pocket horizontal sundial of gilded brass. Chapter ring with folding gnomon over compass bowl with coloured card and needle; mica cover preserved separately.

Signed and dated by the maker Augustine Ryther (c.1550-1593), a leading London map engraver and instrument maker.This is the earliest of only three known surviving instruments by Ryther.