A good antique boxwood diptych sundial compass by Francis Barker, London c1875

Boxwood pocket sundial having 1¼” paper dial compass, with 16-wind quadrant rose displaying cardinals, intercardinals, and false points, fleur de lys indicating north. Flat blued needle marked ’N’ and ’S’ in gold on brass crown pivot. Original flat glass held in brass bezel.

The lower part of the sundial marked with the hours 4am through 12 noon to 8pm, the upper part with paper instructions. Cord ‘gnomon’ affixed between the two halves. Side-mounted brass arm. The boxwood case with Barker hidden hinges, transit lock, twin swinging catches.

Condition: In good working condition, the needle with much of its original blued finish and the gold for N and S, swinging freely, finding north easily, the lid-activated transit lock working correctly. The dial gently aged, the glass clear. The boxwood case in good sound condition with original cord, a few age and use related marks, closing securely. The paper instructions with light ageing.

Comments: A good working example in very original condition from the mid Victorian period, the latitude not indicated, but almost certainly set to 51.5°, that of London, and Greenwich Mean Time.