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Sundials

Sundials need a sun - but not necessarily ours. In fact Nocturnals use other peoples suns (and therefor work, here, at night). The human mind has come up with many ways to improve on the simple stick shadow and many intricate and accurate devices have been made. We show a treasure trove of them here covering the history of mankind through the various civilisations. In wood or brass with fantastic designs these are things you want. To have and to hold!


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Astronomical Ring (large) It's main use was as an equatorial solar quadrant. In other words it tells you the time but looks pretty whilst doing it.To think that the digital watch superceded it is just one of the travesties that history teaches us. (H21)
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Augsburg Equinoctial Sundial Sundials made in Augsburg (later famous for clocks and for having the most legal holidays of any town in Germany) usually had octagonal dial plates with a compass, a hinged latitude arm and a hinged hour ring. They were mass-made for the general public. (H30)
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Butterfield Sundial Fitted with a compass for alignment on a sunlit table this universal sundial can be adjusted for your latitude. A practical and decorative gift that will attract attention and stimulate discussion. (A202)
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Cylindrical Dial A very pretty device with two gnomons - one for winter and one for summer. Our reproduction is based on an Italian one from 500 years ago. Re-enact history and regain a feel for time passing with this sundial rather than an all too accurate clock. (H33)
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David Beringer Quadrant A wonderfully complicated piece of antique kit by Herr Beringer that is fully adaptable to any place on this planet. It's a truly magnificent desktop or windowsill stunner. (H26)
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Diptych Dial (ivory resin) Made of ivory resin - but the original would have been ivory - this is a very attractive piece that would have carried around for use in Western Europe. It is a diptych style sundial. (A112)
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Equatorial Quadrant Suitable for indoor use in a sunny position this sundial provides an attractive way of displaying solar time. (A215)
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Escorial Dial This is made to look like a beautiful ornate book and opens to reveal the sundial. (A114)
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German Sundial Built for a latitude of 40 degrees. An ideal present for someone who has a sunny window or a desk that just needs a practical ornament. This replica is of a 1643 German sundial. (A201)
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Helios Dial Quadrants with a compass, introduced in the 15th century, were the first portable sundials. The compass served to face the quadrant toward the north and the gnomon (a bit of cord or a flexible triangle) could be raised or lowered to accommodate the latitu (H07)
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Kepler Dial (brass) This is a diptych type sundial. When opened like a book and faced north - a string angles between the two. It's shadow shows the time. These can be decorated and made out of many materials - as you can see on our site. (H04)
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Magnetic Solar Compass Around the 18th century the dial was made to float around the fixed needle - rather than the needle spinning around the dial. (A203)
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Octagonal Dial (brass) There is a huge and vital mathematical difference between this Octagonal sundial and the Rectangular one we call Keplers. As you've guessed the box has twice as many sides. Oct is Greek for 8 and Rect is...well, they used to be called Quadrant sundials. (H06)
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Pewter War of the Roses Sundial Pewter sundial from the middle ages. Pretty and heavy. (J22)
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Philip 2nd Sundial (necklace) A miniature hanging dial that is not very accurate because of its size. But who cares on a sunny afternoon? Is it time for tea? Probably. (H88)
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Philip 2nd Sundial (stand) A dinky sundial that can be worn around the neck. One side has a picture of Philip 2nd and the other has a little gnomon that will tell the time when presented to the sun. Cute. (H91)
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Polyhedral Sundial This is possibly the pinnacle of sundial design with eighteen hexagonal and square faces showing different types of sundials with their gnomons all showing the correct time when the suns rays reach them. A most attractive desk or windowsill display. (A214)
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Quadrant Capuccino Named after a coffee? No! An extremely beautifully bronze cast sundial of a different design. A pearl traces two lines that resemble the hood of Capuchin monks. The quadrant goes back to the 15th century. (H28)
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Ring Dial (brass, necklace) This is another fantastic invention - a clever way to tell the time. Simply hold it up and let the sun shine through. A ray of light shines on the hour mark! An exact replica, made from brass. (H87)
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Ring Dial (brass, stand) This is another fantastic invention - a clever way to tell the time. Simply hold it up and let the sun shine through. A ray of light shines on the hour mark! An exact replica, made from brass. (H86)
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