dial, magnetic
manufacturer: Samuel Porter (English, active circa 1823-circa 1824)
circa 1824
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Object Detail
Description
sundial [compass], cased Compass dial, ‘Porter’s magnetic dial’, made by Samuel PORTER of London (fl.1823-1824). The compass is divided 0°-90° in 1° (4x) and in 32 points. The hours run from IIII a.m. - VIII p.m.
Magnetic dial for latitude 52° North. The dial is printed on painted and varnished compass card (red around edge, the remainder yellow), on the underside of which is a bar magnet, set on a point, to orient the dial correctly. Around the edge of the card is a compass ring with sixteen points marked, seven by English initials, North by a fleur-de-lys, and the remaining eight marked by stars.
Underneath the hour scale is a portrayal of Father Time, winged and with a scythe and hourglass, at the South point.
A snake biting its tail surrounds the hour-circle. A simple brass gnomon, which is partially corroded, sits on the compass card. On the dial-plate, it is signed 'S. Porter Fecit.'. The dial is described on the compass card as a 'Magnetic Sun Dial' and has a domed glass cover.
Set in the inside of the box lid is a paper circle (discoloured by age) "PORTER'S / Magnetic / Sun Dial / one the / FLOATING / Compass Card"
Magnetic dial for latitude 52° North. The dial is printed on painted and varnished compass card (red around edge, the remainder yellow), on the underside of which is a bar magnet, set on a point, to orient the dial correctly. Around the edge of the card is a compass ring with sixteen points marked, seven by English initials, North by a fleur-de-lys, and the remaining eight marked by stars.
Underneath the hour scale is a portrayal of Father Time, winged and with a scythe and hourglass, at the South point.
A snake biting its tail surrounds the hour-circle. A simple brass gnomon, which is partially corroded, sits on the compass card. On the dial-plate, it is signed 'S. Porter Fecit.'. The dial is described on the compass card as a 'Magnetic Sun Dial' and has a domed glass cover.
Set in the inside of the box lid is a paper circle (discoloured by age) "PORTER'S / Magnetic / Sun Dial / one the / FLOATING / Compass Card"
Maker and role
manufacturer: Samuel Porter (English, active circa 1823-circa 1824)
Production place
London, England
Production date
circa 1824
Media description
Ivory, paper
Inscriptions
on printed paper label inside cover "PORTER's / Magnetic / Sun Dial / one the / FLOATING / Compass Card"
Credit line
bequest of C H (Roger) Brookes, Melbourne, 2021
Project credit line
This digital record has been made available on TJC Collection Online through a significant donation from the OPENING DOORS fund, the generous support of The Friends of The Johnston Collection, and Digitisation Champion Christine Bell and a specified fund established from the Estate of Mr. Clive Hele (Roger) Brookes.
Accession number
A1893
TJC reference number
6619
