string-gnomon sundial
Date: 1730-1750
Inventory Number: 7209
Classification: Sundial
Subject:
Maker: Pierre-Louis Menant (fl. 1730 - 1750)
Collector: Harrold Edgar Gillingham (1864 - 1954)
Collector: David P. Wheatland (1898 - 1993)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
open: 16 × 22.1 × 22.3 cm (6 5/16 × 8 11/16 × 8 3/4 in.)
closed: 5.1 × 22.1 × 22.3 cm (2 × 8 11/16 × 8 3/4 in.)
Description:
Large window-sill sundial made of brass, with a square base having 4 leveing-screw feet. In spite of this, the brass plate is independently screwed to a later wooden platform.
The string gnomon is attached to an adjustable slider on folding bracket hinged to the dial plate. The settings on the bracket are not marked, but at one point it is for the latitude of 48° 50', as inscribed on the sundial's base, "Pour 48 degrez 50 Minutes."
The hour scale is circular and runs IIII-XII-VIII with subdivisions on the quarter hours. An azimuth circle divided in degrees surrounds this, running 50°-90°-0°-90°-50° with divisions every 30 minutes. The magnetic compass on the south side of the plate has a wind rose of 8 points marked in French abbreviations and words. The northern half is also divided 90°-0°-90° every 1°. The compass is silvered.
The string gnomon is attached to an adjustable slider on folding bracket hinged to the dial plate. The settings on the bracket are not marked, but at one point it is for the latitude of 48° 50', as inscribed on the sundial's base, "Pour 48 degrez 50 Minutes."
The hour scale is circular and runs IIII-XII-VIII with subdivisions on the quarter hours. An azimuth circle divided in degrees surrounds this, running 50°-90°-0°-90°-50° with divisions every 30 minutes. The magnetic compass on the south side of the plate has a wind rose of 8 points marked in French abbreviations and words. The northern half is also divided 90°-0°-90° every 1°. The compass is silvered.
Signedengraved on dial plate near compass: fait Par Menant AParis
engraved in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the plate: Inventé / Par Cosle
engraved in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the plate: Inventé / Par Cosle
FunctionTime finding at one latitude after orienting the gnomon to point toward true North.
ProvenanceEl Beuf; Harrold E. Gillingham Collection (inv. no. 41); David P. Wheatland, Topsfield, MA, 1949; gift to CHSI, c. 1985.