Sundial

Object/Artifact

-

Historic Hudson Valley

Name/Title

Sundial

Entry/Object ID

VC.78.1

Description

Thin flat octagonal plate pierced with round holes for fastening at each corner, engraved with concentric rings v. narrow ruled, then wider ruled with diagonals; numbers on other edge 5-11 on rightside, (clockwise) 1-7 on left; written on top "Nole confidere noctum noctum"; along outer edge (clockwise) N. Moscow, N. Constantinople, N. Warsaw, N. Cracow, N. Prague, N. Venice, N. Florence, N. Toulon, N. Amsterdam, N. Paris, N. London, N. Madrid, N. D----, N. Lisbon, N. Tener off Madiera, N. L----, Varbados, M. Curacoa, (several obliterated by wear) N. Acapulco, Bombay, ----, ----, M. Archangel, M. Jerusalem, M. Cyprus, M. Petersburg, M. Aland, M. Berlin; upper half of ring additionally calibrated with months then narrow rings with months, days, minutes, and position of sun with reserve top center engraved equation for Regulating, inner circle divided into segments marked (clockwise): Midnight. Double the setting is the Length of the Day, blank, Longitude SW London, Latitude 40 [degrees] 40', blank; Double the Rising is the Length of the Might Noon; innermost circle marked: Chr Colles fecit No 42 Pearl Street; gnomon rises from above innermost circle with curved support; large label taped to back.

Collection

Van Cortlandt Manor Object Collection

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

Christopher Colles

Attribution

Maker

Date made

1796 - 1807

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Inscription

Transcription

"Nole confidere noctum noctum" (see description)

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Overall

Height

4-3/8 in

Width

8-3/4 in

Depth

8-5/8 in

Dimension Notes

Display Dimensions: 4 3/8 x 8 3/4 x 8 5/8 in. (11.1 x 22.2 x 21.9 cm)

Material

Bronze, copper

Condition

Notes

Remarks: Details of condition: Face of dial worn; some holes torn; gnomon replaced.

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Van Cortlandt Family

Notes

Former owner

General Notes

Note Type

Curatorial Remarks

Note

Acccessioned in 1978, acquired before.

Note Type

StorageNote

Note

Home Location: Historic Hudson Valley, Union Church, Storage, Shelf 11A