Portable horizontal sundial
Octagonal in shape, this small silver pocket sundial and recessed compass would have been carried in a protective case and would allow the owner to keep time while traveling and to set his clock or watch accordingly. The front plate of the dial is engraved with three-hour scales in Roman and Arabic numerals serving different latitudes. The hinged pointer or gnomon, which could be adjusted for the desired latitude (indicated by the bird’s beak on the pointer), would cast a shadow on the calibrated surface indicating the time. The reverse records the latitudes of 22 European cities and indicates the name of the maker: Ja[c]ques Lucas from La Rochelle who left France and settled in Amsterdam in about 1681 where he died in 1723. These small horizontal dials are known as Butterfield dials for an English instrument maker Michael Butterfield (1635–1724) who worked in Paris from circa 1778 on where he dominated the market with such small traveling sundials. However, the type was known before he manufactured them and was also made by others.
Artwork Details
- Title: Portable horizontal sundial
- Maker: Jacques Lucas (French, active La Rochelle, recorded 1681–1706, d. 1721)
- Date: probably before 1681
- Culture: French, La Rochelle
- Medium: Silver
- Dimensions: Overall: 2 1/4 × 2 in. (5.7 × 5.1 cm)
- Classification: Horology
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Stephen D. Tucker, 1903
- Object Number: 03.21.60
- Curatorial Department: European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
French
probably ca. 1680–1700
French
ca. 1690–1710
Jean Chaslon
1765
Jean Chaslon
1777
Jean Chaslon
1777
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.