F2054-1

Horizontal dial Long Caption: Portable horizontal dial for latitude 47° north. This is an octagonal silver dial with a gilt-brass gnomon and gnomon brace. On the obverse side is an hour scale with the numbers enamelled in black. The hour-lines radiate out from a small central decoration. The gnomon, which is shaped and pierced, folds flat when not in use. Around the compass is fine leaf decoration. The cardinal points are designated in Latin initials and north is offset by 10° West to allow for magnetic variation. The needle, with an arrowhead for north, is surmounted by a brass pyramidal pivot, and there is a chipped glass plate over all. The compass and one turned silver leg support the dial-plate. The reverse side is plain apart from a decorated gnomon brace. The case is of black morocco leather, octagonal shaped, with faded pink velvet lining and a push-button metal clasp. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Georges Bernard Collection Object: AST0479 Artist: Salomon Chesnon Date: late 17th century Medium: silver; gilt-brass; glass; brass Size: 5 mm x 33 mm x 43 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.