Accession No

6670

Brief Description

magnetic pocket sundial, with Chinese characters, by Samuel Porter, English, 1825

Origin

England; London; Stationers' Hall

Maker

Porter, Samuel

Class

dials

Earliest Date

1825

Latest Date

1825

Inscription Date

17-3-1825

Material

wood; paper (card); metal (brass, other); glass; string?

Dimensions

52mm diameter; 30mm height

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Dutch seller, 12/07/2018.

Inscription

[on underside of lid:] PORTER'S MAGNETIC SUNDIAL on the FLOATING Compass Card. Entered at Stationer's Hall

[on compass card:] S. Porter, Fecit March 17 1825; Entered at Stationers Hall

Chinese characters on compass card to be identified.

Description Notes

Magnetic pocket sundial, with Chinese characters, by Samuel Porter, English, 1825.

Dial set in circular wooden case with lid. Printed(?) on yellow compass card with red rim. Chinese characters presumably mark eight compass points, and are also present on inner hour ring. Prominent bat motif near south point. Brass gnomin fixed on card. Bar magnet presumably fixed under card. Dial is under a rounded glass dome, circled by a red twisted string(?). Compass card signed by Porter. On underside of lid there is a pink paper circle upon which maker and object name is printed.

There is a significant crack in the lid.

[on underside of lid:] PORTER'S MAGNETIC SUNDIAL on the FLOATING Compass Card. Entered at Stationer's Hall

[on compass card:] S. Porter, Fecit March 17 1825; Entered at Stationers Hall

Two parts.
Condition good; complete.

References

Events