British Pocket Sundial Compass
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th to early 19th century
Western Europe, England, Georgian to early Victorian era, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A finely turned wood pocket pantochronometer, also known as a floating-card sundial compass, an elegant fusion of navigation and timekeeping technology.
The circular case, crafted from smoothly turned wood, contains a paper dial printed with Roman numerals for hours and directional indicators, encased beneath a domed glass cover. A brass gnomon rises from the center, aligning with the compass card to cast a shadow for solar timekeeping, while the floating magnetic card indicates orientation - unfortunately the card is stuck / wedged in place. The removable lid fits neatly over the top for travel protection.
Size: 2" Diameter x 1" H (5.1 cm x 2.5 cm)
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Material (listing wording)
- wood
- Dimensions or weight (listing wording)
- 5.1 cm x 2.5 cm
Identification
- Source note
- Auction-house description published on Invaluable. Attribution and measurements describe the photographed example; independent type authentication remains research required.
- Listing object ID
- 202678332
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Independent confirmation of type attribution and auction-house statements remains research required.