A RARE GILT-BRONZE AND ENAMEL-DECORATED HORIZONTAL-STYLE COMPASS-SUNDIAL

18TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE GILT-BRONZE AND ENAMEL-DECORATED HORIZONTAL-STYLE COMPASS-SUNDIAL
18TH CENTURY
The sundial set with an enamelled hour ring encirling an openwork center inserted with a bubble level, one end with a compass and the opposing end with a folding gnomon support, the flat areas of the gilt-bronze support chased with various conforming floral designs, each of the four cardinal points embellished with a cobalt-blue glass bead, raised on adjustable screw feet
7 1/8 in. (18 cm.) long

Lot Essay

Compare two similar compass-sundials illustrated in The Complete Collection of the Treasures of the Palace Museum - Scientific and Technical Instruments of the Qing dynasty, 1998, p. 25, no. 18 and p. 27, no. 20. See, also, the similar example sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 30 April 2000, lot 511.

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