El Escorial Sundial

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

The Equatorial sundial is the simplest of all sundials, but also more versatile than traditional ones. It can be constructed without any mathematical calculations, and can be used in any latitude. Basically, it has a semicircle where the equator is marked, and a central stick representing the terrestrial axis. Inclined properly to the current latitude, the shadow of the stick shows the time in the inner part of the circle. The Equatorial sundial we feature is a reproduction of one made in Italy during the Renaissance of the 16th century. It is universal, it can be used in all latitudes. It can also be used as a calendar thanks to the small marker incorporated in the gnomon. Made of wood and brass. Comes with a booklet detailing its history and instructions for use. Size Height: 7.5" Diameter: 2.75"

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

This sundial is a replica of one made in Germany and dated to 1643. It is a single latitude dial and the brass gnomon support folds down when not in use. The decoration of the floating compass card is particularly attractive. The case is made of beech wood and the hour sundial is made of bronzed metal. It´s accompanied by a booklet with history and instructions for use. Size: about 4.5 inches diameter

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

This stunning horizontal sundial is a recreation based from the originals of sixteenth century which are preserved in museums such as Science of Oxford Museum of the History of Science or the Greenwich Maritime Museum. It is made of a bronzed alloy of high hardness and high resistance to temperature changes and does not require any maintenance. It is presented in a wooden box decorated with a nautical theme and is accompanied by a pamphlet with instructions for use.

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

A horizontal sundial consists of one dial plate, marked off in hours, and the gnomon which sits on the noon line and projects out from the dial plate. In order to tell the correct local time, the gnomon must be parallel with the Earth's axis, or, in other words, that it should point towards the celestial pole. In the northern hemisphere, this means, for practical purposes, that the gnomon should point at the Pole Star. The chief advantages of the horizontal sundial are that it is easy to read, and the sun lights the face throughout the year. All the hour-lines intersect at the point where the gnomon's style crosses the horizontal plane. Since the style is aligned with the Earth's rotational axis, the style points true North and its angle with the horizontal equals the sundial's geographical latitude. Made of wood and brass, this historically accurate sundial, based off an original in the Naval Museum of Madrid, features a compass and beautifully printed sundial faces. The exterior cover is topped with a brass plate depicting the magnetic astrolabe of Athanasius Kircher. The perfect item for those with the spirit of discovery. Historical Example Diptych Dial, by Stockert, 18th Century - Oxford Museum Dimensions Length: 3 in Width: 2 in Height: 0.8 in

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

A horizontal sundial consists of one dial plate, marked off in hours, and the gnomon which sits on the noon line and projects out from the dial plate. In order to tell the correct local time, the gnomon must be parallel with the Earth's axis, or, in other words, that it should point towards the celestial pole. In the northern hemisphere, this means, for practical purposes, that the gnomon should point at the Pole Star. The chief advantages of the horizontal sundial are that it is easy to read, and the sun lights the face throughout the year. All the hour-lines intersect at the point where the gnomon's style crosses the horizontal plane. Since the style is aligned with the Earth's rotational axis, the style points true North and its angle with the horizontal equals the sundial's geographical latitude. This historically accurate style sundial, based off an original in the Correr Museum in Venice, features a compass and beautifully printed sundial faces. The exterior cover is topped with a colored print of an antique sea chart depicting Columbus's four voyages. The perfect item for those with the spirit of discovery. Historical Example Diptych Dial, by E.C. Stockert, Germany, 18th Century Dimensions Length: 3.15 in Width: 2.5 in Height: 0.8 in

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

A horizontal sundial consists of one dial plate, marked off in hours, and the gnomon which sits on the noon line and projects out from the dial plate. In order to tell the correct local time, the gnomon must be parallel with the Earth's axis, or, in other words, that it should point towards the celestial pole. In the northern hemisphere, this means, for practical purposes, that the gnomon should point at the Pole Star. This sundial is based off one created by Lienhart Miller in 1613 in Nuremberg. Inside is an horizontal sundial, one more vertical and also a scaphe dial with sun-face motif for Italian hours. The cover features a beautifully inscribed brass compass rose. As a clever touch, this sundial incorporates a weather vane which, when not in use, is stored small drawer on one side. It comes in a nice box with a booklet with the history and instructions. A wonderful pocket tool for the wandering scholar or wayward adventurer. Dimensions Length: 4.3 in Width: 2.75 in Height: 0.8 in

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

This octogonal model is based off a design by Charles Bloud of Dieppe in France. Inside there is a horizontal sundial, with a compass. On its vertical table, lunar volvelle for telling the time at night (more info below). The cover features an equatorial (or equinoctial) sundial. It comes in a beautiful case and has a booklet with history and instructions for use. Two options are available for the cover: one topped with a colored paper, the other an etched brass plate. How to use the lunar volvelle: The lunar volvelle converts the time as read off the sundial, cast by the shadow of the moon, and converts the reading the correct time (within an hour or so, these could not be as accurate as a sundial). Set the point on the volvelle to the current lunar age (1-29, with 1 being the new moon, and 15 being the full moon). The current solar time corresponds to the time indicated by the disc. In other words, the dial simply offsets the time to correspond with the precession of the moon. Historical Example: Bloud-type magnetic azimuth, diptych sundial ca. 1665

Manufacturer: Antiquus Brand: Obscuriosity

The polyhedral sundial represents the height of knowledge of gnomonics, the science of the sundial. Since it has different sides, these are not illuminated at the same time. As the sun moves, it illuminates the sides depending on the time of the day and this way it can be seen from different angles. This polyhedral sundial is a true replica of the one created by Stefano Buonsignori in the 16th century, which is located in the Institute and Museum of Science in Florence. The sundial has eighteen hexagonal sides of which seventeen correspond to solar quadrants with different orientations and inclinations. A compass in the top enables correct alignment. See the original in the Galileo Museum: http://catalogue.museogalileo.it/object/PolyhedralDial_n05.html Size Height: 6.3" Diameter: 3"

Brand: FL West Color: Brass (Sundial Compass), Brown (Wooden Case)

This is a beautiful solid brass antique reproduction of a sundial with an internal magnetic compass. The magnetic compass allows the sundial to be oriented North. The sun's shadow cast by the sundial's vane marks the local time. The top of the sundial can lay down flat, and both the latitude scale and the sundial vane are hinged to lay flat for compact storage. The hardwood case measures 4 1/4 inches square, 2 1/4 inches tall, and has an inlaided anchor on top.