Portland Stone Sundial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
early 19th century
This early 19th-century garden sundial consists of an inscribed dial plate mounted upon a baluster-form Portland stone pedestal. According to the auction catalogue, the dial plate bears the inscription 'STAND AMONG YE SUMMER FLOWERS, AND TELL YE PASSING OF YE HOURS'.
The stone structure measures 90 cm in height excluding the dial plate and rests on a square base measuring 39 by 39 cm. Visually, the pedestal features wrythen spiral fluting along its central swelling baluster column, an openwork scrolled gnomon, and a stepped square plinth.
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
- Early 19th century
- Type
- Other sundial
- Height
- 90 cm (excluding the dial)
- Material
- Portland stone
- Inscription
- STAND AMONG YE SUMMER FLOWERS, AND TELL YE PASSING OF YE HOURS
- Base Dimensions
- 39 x 39 cm
Design
- Condition
- The auction catalogue identifies weathering across the object. It notes two old repairs to the stem. Additional recorded damage includes knocks and losses to the top edge and corners, as well as loss to the moulding on the stem and around the base.
- Visible features
- • Circular metal dial plate mounted on a square stone capital • Openwork pierced triangular gnomon with scroll motifs • Baluster-form stone pedestal carved with wrythen spiral fluting • Square stepped plinth base showing weathered surface and lichen growth
- Construction and Form
- The stone pedestal features wrythen spiral fluting along its central baluster column and terminates in a square stepped plinth base. The sundial includes an openwork pierced triangular gnomon featuring scroll motifs. The reported height of the stone structure is 90 cm (excluding the dial), and the base measures 39 by 39 cm.
- Description and Identification
- This item is identified as a Portland stone sundial, dated by the auction source to the early 19th century. The object consists of an inscribed dial plate mounted upon a baluster-form stone pedestal. The dial plate is inscribed with the text: 'STAND AMONG YE SUMMER FLOWERS, AND TELL YE PASSING OF YE HOURS'.
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: Metal composition of the dial plate and gnomon is not specified in the auction catalogue
- Research required: The auction house notes weathering, two old repairs to the stem, knocks and losses to top edge and corners, and further losses to mouldings on the stem and around the base