4772

Circa 1900

DUTCH SUSPENDED SUNDIAL

Signed in the case "Nederlandsche Instrumentenfabriek Utrecht". Lacquered brass dial sets up on a collapsible three-footed stand and is suspended by a gimbaled mount and three support strings in a wide semi-cylindrical cradle set with central gnomon and a plumb bob reading against a silvered quadrant scale divided every degree from 0° to 70° latitude. Interior card printed on both sides with time and date lines plus offsets for standard time (as a function of longitude east or west of the standard meridian). An ingenious capstan arrangement enables latitude adjustment by taking up one of the suspension cords, thus tilting the entire cradle assembly. Excellent condition throughout and complete with its fitted mahogany case.
Height 11.25". Width 6.25". Box height 5". Width 7.25". Depth 4.5".
Condition: The absence of a condition report does not imply an object is free of defects. All items may have normal signs of age and wear commensurate with their age; these issues will likely not be mentioned in the condition report. Please contact Eldred's before the auction with any condition questions. Questions about condition will not be answered after purchase. Condition reports are provided as a courtesy, and we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Important note on frames: Frames are not guaranteed to be in the same condition as they are in the item photograph. Due to handling and shipping, many frames, especially antique ones, are prone to losses. If you have questions about the condition of a frame, please contact us prior to the auction. 

  • Provenance:
    Tesseract, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, 2013.
    The Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artifacts.

    Notes:
    Per Tesseract, this innovative, sculptural sundial is the only one known to exist. This example is illustrated in the Dutch sundial book "De Zon als Klok" and was included in a 1983 exhibition of sundials. It was also listed for sale in an early "Antiquarian Scientist" catalogue. The Utrecht firm is recorded, under this name, primarily in the first few years of the 20th Century. Under director Van Huffel they manufactured various scientific instruments, including this most interesting dial, which, according to a descendant of the firm, was designed for an expedition to Dutch Africa.

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March 1, 2023 9:30 AM EST
East Dennis, MA, US

Eldred's

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$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000