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A FINE LARGE 19TH CENTURY IRISH SLATE OCTAGONAL SUNDIAL, dated 1835, with wrought iron gnomon and profusely engraved with geographical compilations, the southern point of the plate engraved with inscription: 'Anno MDCCCXXXV. Domini. Horizontal Sun Dial Mathematically Calculated for North Lat. Deg. Minats. Longitude Degrees Minutes. The Mariners Compass the twelve Signs and the Primary Planets Rectified'. 58cm diameterMan first learned about time watching the sun rise and set. The earliest examples of sundials in Ireland were discovered at Early Irish monastic settlement sites where it is thought they were used to regulate times of prayer.By the 18th and 19th Centuries sundials had advanced so significantly that dials were being produced for specific locations. Based on mathematical calculations these dials told time for every day of the year in minutes and seconds.As can be seen from this Irish example, the outer border of plate is engraved with a chapter ring containing Roman numerals denoting the twelve hours and the names of various foreign cities. This ring encloses several slender bands of further engravings denoting the months of the year, minutes and seconds, signs of the Zodiac, as well as an inscription declaring the superiority of a sun dial over a pendulum watch or clock. The dial is set with a wrought-iron gnomon which casts its shadow on the plate to indicate time. Beneath the gnomon the plate is centered by a compass rose and surrounded by Irish towns and cities positioned in their relevant coordinates.

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1087795 item(s)/page