25-12-2018, 02:16 PM
12
Re: What is this?
Originally Posted by JBR
->
No, it's definitely a portable sundial.The string (when taut) is what casts the shadow which designates the time. The compass is to ensure it is set up in the correct direction, otherwise the time indication would be useless.
It looks like it has various means of adjusting for different times of the year.
I'll give you five bob for it!
You need to go on antiques road show
25-12-2018, 02:49 PM
13
Re: What is this?
Originally Posted by Emjay
->
Thanks people yes some of you are correct. It is a sundial. I only got this yesturday, and as I was studying it I realised that if it was pointed north and I shined a light on it the string does cast a shadow.
Now I must discover what is the top for. It also has a string and that brass pointer.
25-12-2018, 08:43 PM
19
Re: What is this?
Originally Posted by Emjay
->
As requested for your eyes only. Yea right.
The first picture shows a pointer that can be rotated to point to any number from 1 to 32. The first thing that came to mind was days of the month but, of course, days of the month only extend to 31! I can't for the life of me think what else 1 to 32 could refer to.
The string on the front presumably is an extension of that inside which becomes taut when the lid is opened. Its end seems to be fastened to a small knob on the front. Is this removable? Could it be adjusted in some way to lengthen or shorten the string, perhaps using the rotating pointer, to account for different times of the year when the sun is lower or higher?
The hole of the front seems only to permit viewing the compass which, I assume, ensures that the sundial is oriented to point north in order to provide the correct time.
The third picture seems likely to receive the shadow of the string which would indicate the time.
The second picture could serve a similar purpose, having concentric lines pointing to numbers as on the third picture, but the string would have to be attached at the point from where the concentric lines radiate, and it doesn't. I also don't understand how the astrological symbols (relating to the months of the year?) could work or, for that matter, the small numbers along the extreme edges.
I'll have to think about that and, hopefully, find some information on the internet!
Perhaps someone else here might come up with an explanation.
I'm sure that there must be some adjustment to account for the latitude, but I can't see anything along those lines.
|
|
