Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 1
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 2
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 3
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 4
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 5
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 6
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London 7
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-9
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-1
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-1a
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-2
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-3
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-5
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-6
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-4
previous arrow
next arrow
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-9
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-1
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-1a
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-2
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-3
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-5
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-6
Rare 19th Century Bronze Horizontal Sundial by Watkins & Hill London-4
previous arrow
next arrow

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

Charles II Pewter Flat Lid Tankard

Charles II Pewter Flat Lid Tankard

The Oak Interior – An extremely rare Charles II pewter tankard dated 1666. The tankard bears a crested stamp dated 1666 to the inside of the base. The flat caddy and ringed lid are stamped to the top with four hallmarks of the period and the initials C B. The beautifully crafted handle terminates at a bifurcated rams horn hinged thumb piece and the vessel sits on a multiple ringed and flared base.

17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box

17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box

Charming and original 12” olive oyster lace box, circa 1680-90. It is most likely that this gorgeous piece was commissioned during the short reign of William and Mary (1689-1702). This was a great time in British furniture design with some of the most notable pieces to date being commissioned.

Charles II Kingwood Oyster Lace Box

Charles II Kingwood Oyster Lace Box

An extremely rare Charles II kingwood oyster lace box 1660-1675. The box through its kingwood (also known as princeswood) oysters laid in a parquetry fashion, relate closely to an important and exceptionally rare triad set, in private collection at Dryton House.

Charles II Pewter Flat Lid Tankard

Charles II Pewter Flat Lid Tankard

The Oak Interior – An extremely rare Charles II pewter tankard dated 1666. The tankard bears a crested stamp dated 1666 to the inside of the base. The flat caddy and ringed lid are stamped to the top with four hallmarks of the period and the initials C B. The beautifully crafted handle terminates at a bifurcated rams horn hinged thumb piece and the vessel sits on a multiple ringed and flared base.

17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box

17th-Century Olive Oyster Lace Box

Charming and original 12” olive oyster lace box, circa 1680-90. It is most likely that this gorgeous piece was commissioned during the short reign of William and Mary (1689-1702). This was a great time in British furniture design with some of the most notable pieces to date being commissioned.

Charles II Kingwood Oyster Lace Box

Charles II Kingwood Oyster Lace Box

An extremely rare Charles II kingwood oyster lace box 1660-1675. The box through its kingwood (also known as princeswood) oysters laid in a parquetry fashion, relate closely to an important and exceptionally rare triad set, in private collection at Dryton House.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750

George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750

George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750 SoldFollow UsGeorge II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750 George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod table. The well-figured top has a pie crust edge, resting on a gun...

George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750

George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750

George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750 SoldFollow UsGeorge II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod Table, circa 1740-1750 George II Gun Barrel Mahogany Tripod table. The well-figured top has a pie crust edge, resting on a gun...

Pin It on Pinterest