Accession No
0175
Brief Description
horizontal construction dial by Haye, c.1700
Origin
Paris; France
Maker
Haye
Class
dials
Earliest Date
1700
Latest Date
1700
Inscription Date
Material
metal (brass); glass
Dimensions
Special Collection
Robert Whipple collection
Provenance
This object was purchased by Robert Stewart Whipple from R. Middegaels, Paris, France, on 13/11/1924.
Inscription
‘Haye AParis’
Description Notes
Decorated square brass base on 4 feet. Degree scale divided 0 - 90˚ (OCCIDENT) - 0 - 90˚ (ORIENT) - 0, numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 1˚. Each quadrant marked ‘Ce quart donne les Declinations...’ (see history file for remainder of inscription). On the base is a dial disc which may be turned ±90˚ from North. On the dial are 3 hour scales for 50˚, 45˚ and 40˚; 1st divided IIII - XII, I - VIII, 2nd divided 4 - 12, 1 - 8,3rd divided V - XII, I - VII, all numbered by I (or 1) and subdividedto 15 minutes. Decoration at the base of the gnomon.
Gnomon adjustable for latitudes 35˚ - 55˚. Compass with 16-point rose and fleur-de-lys for North; scale for magnetic variation divided 40˚ - 0 - 40˚, numbered by 10˚, subdivided to 2˚, with contemporary value marked at 10˚W.
good condition
References
Events
Description
The horizontal dial is the most common form of sundial. The portable version proved very popular with the upper classes during the 19th Century. During this period it could best be described as the wristwatch of its day.
The hour lines are engraved onto a horizontal surface, with a gnomon (pointer) in the centre. Seasonal variations (caused by the earth’s orbit being elliptical, not circular) have to be compensated for, as they can affect the raw reading by up to 18 minutes.
18/10/2002
Created by: Saffron Clackson and Boris Jardine on 18/10/2002
FM:39847
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