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SundialsThe Museum has about 400 sundials in its collection which is one of the largest of its type in the world. Examples include cannon dials, mechanical equinoctial dials and scaphe dials. Browse the entire collection or: View by:
About this collectionThe Museum has about 400 sundials in its collection which is one of the largest of its type in the world. Examples include cannon dials, mechanical equinoctial dials and scaphe dials. The main body of the collection is made up of portable dials, some small enough to fit into the palm of the hand. Most date from the 16th to the 19th centuries and many of the dials have adjustable parts and tables which allow them to be used at different latitudes. Some are just used for telling the time. Others, called 'compendia', contain instruments that allow the user to carry out surveying, make calculations or predict the times of high and low tide. The majority of the instruments originate from Europe but there are examples from the Near and Far East. Researchers are welcome to study items but an appointment must be made in advance. Please contact the E-library for further information. Telephone: +44 (0) 20 8312 6516 Related websites |
