Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London
£2,600
Request Information
Follow Us
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London
A beautifully weathered circular bronze sundial by Watkins & Hill, first half of the 19th century. The sundial was designed and calibrated to be used outside on a stone base in a garden in Southern England.
The engraved base plate, which has a lovely green-hued patina, has a Roman chapter ring with half-hour markers and minute divisions, on which the gnomon casts its shadow.
The sundial is signed by the makers at the bottom in the following manner: Watkins & Hill Charing Cross. In the middle is a compass rose to position the instrument in such a way that the time can be read. Above the middle is a Latin inscription: Cogitaui Dies Antionas (‘I thought upon the days of old’ (Psalm 76)).
Diameter: 10 inch (25.4 cm)
The makers:
The firm was founded by Francis Watkins, Senior (1723-1791), who worked for the famous maker John Dollond, among others, from 1706 to 1761. He invented a refracting telescope. In the period 1763-74 he was in partnership with Addison Smith, his former pupil, as Watkins and Smith. Watkins retired in 1784, when he was succeeded by his nephews Jeremiah Watkins (c. 1758-1810) and Walter Watkins (d. 1798). After Walter’s death in 1798 the business was continued by Jeremiah until his death in 1810. In 1808 he was listed as ‘J. Watkins, optician, 5 Charing Cross.’. In 1810 William Hill (d. 1847), an employee, ran the business on behalf of Jeremiah’s widow, Charlotte. In 1818 Jeremiah’s son Francis Watkins, Junior became a partner and the firm traded as Watkins and Hill, the makers of this sundial. They were active until 1847. The company remained in existence and Watkins & Hill exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition. Later, in 1857, they were taken over by the brothers C. A. and F. H. Elliott, the sons of William Elliott, a mathematical instrument maker.
Reference: Grace’s Guide.
Condition
Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions
Height: 5.52 in. (14 cm)
Diameter: 10.01 in. (25.4 cm)
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
A Pair of 17th Century William and Mary Miniature Candlesticks By George Manjoy
A Pair of 17th Century William and Mary Miniature Candlesticks By George Manjoy SoldFollow UsA...
Rare Royal 18th Century Powder Barrel Stick Stand Decorated with a Coat of Arms
Rare Royal 18th Century Powder Barrel Stick Stand Decorated with a Coat of Arms SoldFollow UsRare...
An Extremely Rare Geometric George II Parquetry Cocuswood Tea Caddy, Circa 1730
An Extremely Rare Geometric George II Parquetry Cocuswood Tea Caddy, Circa 1730 SoldFollow UsAn...
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 SoldFollow UsGeorge III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 Royal Interest A George III silver-gilt pepper pot by John Emes,...
A Georgian Three-Inch Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London 1813
A Georgian Three-Inch Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London 1813 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
A Pair of 17th Century William and Mary Miniature Candlesticks By George Manjoy
A Pair of 17th Century William and Mary Miniature Candlesticks By George Manjoy SoldFollow UsA...
Rare Royal 18th Century Powder Barrel Stick Stand Decorated with a Coat of Arms
Rare Royal 18th Century Powder Barrel Stick Stand Decorated with a Coat of Arms SoldFollow UsRare...
An Extremely Rare Geometric George II Parquetry Cocuswood Tea Caddy, Circa 1730
An Extremely Rare Geometric George II Parquetry Cocuswood Tea Caddy, Circa 1730 SoldFollow UsAn...
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors
A Rare Silver Mounted George II Shagreen Tea Caddy with Silver Rocco Canistors Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798
George III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 SoldFollow UsGeorge III Silver-Gilt Pepper Pot with the Royal Cypher of Queen Charlotte, 1798 Royal Interest A George III silver-gilt pepper pot by John Emes,...
A Georgian Three-Inch Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London 1813
A Georgian Three-Inch Terrestrial Pocket Globe by T. Harris and Son, London 1813 Sold[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.22.1" _module_preset="default" custom_margin="-30px||||false|false"...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England £28,900Follow UsRare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk / Bachelor's...
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, Circa 1690
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, Circa 1690 £10,900Follow...
Important 17th Century Charles II Silk Needlework – Stumpwork Mirror
Important 17th Century Charles II Silk Needlework - Stumpwork Mirror £12,500Follow UsImportant...
A Fine George III Chippendale Mahogany Dumb Waiter, Circa 1760 England
A Fine George III Chippendale Mahogany Dumb Waiter, Circa 1760 England. £5,600Follow UsA Fine...
A Rare Chinese Chippendale George III cabinet on stand, circa 1760 England
A Rare Chinese Chippendale George III cabinet on stand, circa 1760. England £38,000Follow UsA Rare...
George III mahogany spider-leg table attributed to Thomas Chippendale 1768
A George III mahogany spider-leg table attributed to Thomas Chippendale 1768 £12,000Follow UsA...
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England £28,900Follow UsRare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk / Bachelor's...
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, Circa 1690
A Fine 17th Century William and Mary Kingwood Strongbox or Coffre Fort, Circa 1690 £10,900Follow...
Important 17th Century Charles II Silk Needlework – Stumpwork Mirror
Important 17th Century Charles II Silk Needlework - Stumpwork Mirror £12,500Follow UsImportant...
A Fine George III Chippendale Mahogany Dumb Waiter, Circa 1760 England
A Fine George III Chippendale Mahogany Dumb Waiter, Circa 1760 England. £5,600Follow UsA Fine...
A Rare Chinese Chippendale George III cabinet on stand, circa 1760 England
A Rare Chinese Chippendale George III cabinet on stand, circa 1760. England £38,000Follow UsA Rare...
George III mahogany spider-leg table attributed to Thomas Chippendale 1768
A George III mahogany spider-leg table attributed to Thomas Chippendale 1768 £12,000Follow UsA...