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A fine and rare William and Mary double-horizontal bronze sundial by Henry Wynne signed Henricus
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Description
A fine and rare William and Mary double-horizontal bronze sundial by Henry Wynne
signed Henricus Wynne Londini Fecit, Richard Earle of Lauderdale, and monogrammed with his initial R E L and his wife’s A C L , the gnomon engraved both sides with the Lauderdale coat of arms
the octagonal dial 43cm wide by 32cm high
The double-horizontal sundial, as the name implies, is a dual instrument, its principal features comprising a ‘double’ gnomon and complementary hour-scales on the dial plate. The primary instrument is the fiducial edge of the inclined or sloping part of the gnomon, which, when the sundial is correctly set, lies parallel to the earth’s polar-axis and aligned in the north/south plane of the meridian and the shadow of which indicates the time against the outer hour-scale on the dial plate, in hours and minutes. The secondary instrument is the sharp vertical edge of the triangular-shaped support to the gnomon, which lies in the axis of the observer’s zenith, and the shadow of which indicates the position of the sun at the point where the straight edge of the shadow intersects the hour-line on a planispheric projection of the celestial sphere, corresponding to the time indicated on the main dial. This observation provides various astronomical data, including the sign of the zodiac in which the sun is situated, the times of sunrise and sunset, the length of the day in terms of the number of hours in the day from sunrise to sunset, the altitude and azimuth (direction) of the sun, together with the means to determine the time when certain ‘fixed’ stars would transit the meridian.
The dial plate is engraved with various scales and tables, the primary hour-scale in the outer ring being graduated in hours and minutes. The planispheric projection is also engraved with an inner and outer hour-scale, to facilitate its use, being graduated with hour-angle divisions (meridians) and parallels of declination to the limits of 23½ degrees north or south of the celestial equator or equinoctial line. Other scales engraved on the dial include a semi-circular lunar hour-scale (situated within the arc of the inner hour-scale of the planispheric projection), by which the time may be deduced from an observation of the moon and two sets of altitude scales, for use with a pair of compasses or dividers. Two calendrical tables are also engraved either side of the gnomon. Unusually no latitude or longitude is engraved on the dial which is in remarkably good condition with all of the engraving very crisp. The lack of verdigris would suggest that it has spent little time outdoors.
The double-horizontal sundial was the invention of the mathematician William Oughtred (1575-1660). This instrument was produced for him by his friend Elias Allen, who flourished circa 1606-1654, the most notable mathematical instrument maker of his day. His apprentice and successor was Ralph Greatorex (1625-1712), who was also a personal friend of Oughtred. One of Greatorex’s apprentices was Henry Wynne (fl. 1654-1709), who, in turn, became well-known for the excellence of his instruments. Wynne was a member of, and in 1690, Master of the Clockmaker’s Company. He produced the finest and largest (36-inch diameter) double-horizontal sundials, known in this country, which in themselves are comparatively rare, since their construction requires a high degree of mathematical knowledge and considerable skill in the accurate engraving of the planispheric projection. One of his dials was set up on the terrace at Windsor Castle in the Reign of Charles II and others are known in England and Scotland. A similar double horizontal dial by Henry Wynne on a Portland stone pedestal was sold at Summers Place Auctions, 21st October 2014, lot 12.
Richard Maitland, 4th Earl of Lauderdale 1653-1695, was the eldest son of Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale and his spouse Elizabeth Lauder. He served as joint General of the Mint and Lord Justice Clerk. In 1678, he married Anne daughter of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, whose initials are also engraved on the dial. He was present at the Battle of the Boyne on the side of King James, 1 July 1690, after which he retired to Limerick and subsequently went to the exiled Court of James II at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The following year he succeeded to the Earldom of Lauderdale, but was outlawed by the Court of Justiciary on 23 July 1694 before dying the following year, thus dating this sundial to between 1691 and 1695.
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A fine and rare William and Mary double-horizontal bronze sundial by Henry Wynne
signed Henricus Wynne Londini Fecit, Richard Earle of Lauderdale, and monogrammed with his initial R E L and his wife’s A C L , the gnomon engraved both sides with the Lauderdale coat of arms
the octagonal dial 43cm wide by 32cm high
The double-horizontal sundial, as the name implies, is a dual instrument, its principal features comprising a ‘double’ gnomon and complementary hour-scales on the dial plate. The primary instrument is the fiducial edge of the inclined or sloping part of the gnomon, which, when the sundial is correctly set, lies parallel to the earth’s polar-axis and aligned in the north/south plane of the meridian and the shadow of which indicates the time against the outer hour-scale on the dial plate, in hours and minutes. The secondary instrument is the sharp vertical edge of the triangular-shaped support to the gnomon, which lies in the axis of the observer’s zenith, and the shadow of which indicates the position of the sun at the point where the straight edge of the shadow intersects the hour-line on a planispheric projection of the celestial sphere, corresponding to the time indicated on the main dial. This observation provides various astronomical data, including the sign of the zodiac in which the sun is situated, the times of sunrise and sunset, the length of the day in terms of the number of hours in the day from sunrise to sunset, the altitude and azimuth (direction) of the sun, together with the means to determine the time when certain ‘fixed’ stars would transit the meridian.
The dial plate is engraved with various scales and tables, the primary hour-scale in the outer ring being graduated in hours and minutes. The planispheric projection is also engraved with an inner and outer hour-scale, to facilitate its use, being graduated with hour-angle divisions (meridians) and parallels of declination to the limits of 23½ degrees north or south of the celestial equator or equinoctial line. Other scales engraved on the dial include a semi-circular lunar hour-scale (situated within the arc of the inner hour-scale of the planispheric projection), by which the time may be deduced from an observation of the moon and two sets of altitude scales, for use with a pair of compasses or dividers. Two calendrical tables are also engraved either side of the gnomon. Unusually no latitude or longitude is engraved on the dial which is in remarkably good condition with all of the engraving very crisp. The lack of verdigris would suggest that it has spent little time outdoors.
The double-horizontal sundial was the invention of the mathematician William Oughtred (1575-1660). This instrument was produced for him by his friend Elias Allen, who flourished circa 1606-1654, the most notable mathematical instrument maker of his day. His apprentice and successor was Ralph Greatorex (1625-1712), who was also a personal friend of Oughtred. One of Greatorex’s apprentices was Henry Wynne (fl. 1654-1709), who, in turn, became well-known for the excellence of his instruments. Wynne was a member of, and in 1690, Master of the Clockmaker’s Company. He produced the finest and largest (36-inch diameter) double-horizontal sundials, known in this country, which in themselves are comparatively rare, since their construction requires a high degree of mathematical knowledge and considerable skill in the accurate engraving of the planispheric projection. One of his dials was set up on the terrace at Windsor Castle in the Reign of Charles II and others are known in England and Scotland. A similar double horizontal dial by Henry Wynne on a Portland stone pedestal was sold at Summers Place Auctions, 21st October 2014, lot 12.
Richard Maitland, 4th Earl of Lauderdale 1653-1695, was the eldest son of Charles Maitland, 3rd Earl of Lauderdale and his spouse Elizabeth Lauder. He served as joint General of the Mint and Lord Justice Clerk. In 1678, he married Anne daughter of Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, whose initials are also engraved on the dial. He was present at the Battle of the Boyne on the side of King James, 1 July 1690, after which he retired to Limerick and subsequently went to the exiled Court of James II at Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The following year he succeeded to the Earldom of Lauderdale, but was outlawed by the Court of Justiciary on 23 July 1694 before dying the following year, thus dating this sundial to between 1691 and 1695.
Conversation Pieces 20th March 2018
Sale Date(s)
Lots: 1-87
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Billingshurst
West Sussex
RH14 9AB
United Kingdom
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