Portable Sun-Dial


The sun-dial, in the shape of truncated pyramid, rests on levelling screws. Its five faces are marked with the solar hours. The instrument can be oriented by means of a compass set in a small drawer where also two striding levels are kept. On three faces the raised arm of a small silver angel acts as gnomon. The instrument was built to order of baron Giuseppe Caetani. This information is engraved on the face toward North together with the data relative to the latitude of Naples: "Instrumentum Solare Horarium a Joseph M' Cavaliere Barone Caetani adiventum atque delineatum AD 1769 ad Latit. Bor. Neapolis Grad. 40.50". The instrument is made of solid silver. The edges are strengthened with gold plated-brass. It may be kept in a wooden case lined inside with green velvet and outside with amaranth velvet. Raising the lid one can read on the inner surface detailed instruction for use. Well-preserved. Unsigned.


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