Pocket Compass Sundial by Peter & John Dollond
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1790
This pocket compass sundial is constructed from brass and steel, featuring a glass lid and a blue-toned compass dial. Manufactured in London by Peter and John Dollond, the instrument includes a hinged, moveable arm to function as a sundial.
The object measures approximately 65 mm in width and 21 mm in height. It is associated with the maritime explorer George Bass, who reportedly utilized the device during a whaleboat expedition from Sydney to Westernport Bay between December 1797 and February 1798. Following the expedition, the instrument returned to England in 1800, where it entered the possession of Elizabeth Waterhouse, Bass's wife. The compass remained within the Waterhouse family until it was purchased at auction in 1998 by Dr.
William F. Wilson. It was later donated to Museums Victoria in 2011 by the Wilson-Anastasios, Wilson, and Dubar families.
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.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- circa 1790
- Type
- Pocket compass sundial
- Dimensions
- 65 mm (Width), 21 mm (Height)
- Manufacturer
- Peter & John Dollond
- Place recorded
- England
- Associated user
- George Bass
- Acquisition date
- 22 Nov 2011
- Primary materials
- Brass, steel, glass
- Maker / attribution
- Peter Dollond
- Registration number
- HT 29959
Design
- Visible features
- • The sundial ring is engraved with the maker's name 'Dollond London'. • The compass dial features a central floral-style compass rose and a blue-finished magnetic needle. • The sundial assembly utilizes a hinged arm and a calibrated arc for adjustment.
- Donation and Status
- The object is registered as HT 29959 within the Museums Victoria collection. It was acquired via the Cultural Gifts Program on November 22, 2011, as a donation from Dr. Meaghan Wilson-Anastasios, Ms. Victoria Wilson, and Mr. Adrian Dubar. The donation was made to honor the memory of William F. Wilson. According to the museum’s records, the object is considered to hold national significance regarding the early maritime history of the Victorian coastline and Tasmania.
- Construction and Design
- The pocket compass sundial is designed as a compact, portable instrument. The main body consists of a brass case containing a compass with a blue-finished needle and a detailed dial. The lid is fitted with a glass cover to protect the sensitive magnetic needle. A moveable arm is hinged to the top of the compass, functioning as the gnomon for the sundial component. An adjustable arc allows the user to set the instrument based on coordinates. The circumference of the sundial ring is clearly engraved with the manufacturer’s mark, 'Dollond London', and standard hour markings.
- Historical Context and Provenance
- The instrument is associated with George Bass, a notable figure in early Australian maritime exploration. It was reportedly used during his 1797-1798 expedition in an unnamed whaleboat, which significantly contributed to the mapping of the Victorian coastline and the confirmation of the strait between Tasmania and the Australian mainland. Following the expedition, the compass was taken back to England by Bass in 1800. It was subsequently held by Elizabeth Waterhouse, whom Bass married that same year. The item was passed through the Waterhouse family for generations before being sold at auction in 1998 to Dr. William F. Wilson.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
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
- Research required: The provenance of the object prior to the 1797-98 whaleboat expedition is unknown.
- Research required: The source states that its arrival in New South Wales in 1795 is assumed rather than confirmed.