Charles Wastell Dixey, London c1850

A portable equinoctial sundial in its original leather case, signed on the hour plate C W Dixey 3 New Bond Street London.

Charles Wastell Dixey was apprenticed to his father in 1812 and was in partnership with his uncle, trading as George and Charles Dixey, from 1822 to 1838 when George died. Charles Wastell Dixey continued the business at 3 New Bond Street, trading under his own name, until 1862 when he took his sons into partnership trading as C W Dixey & Sons. C W Dixey died in 1880, the business continued into the 20th century.

The circular base of the instrument contains a compass with two bubble levels set at right angles to each other, and has 3 adjustable feet for levelling the dial.

The compass is divided at 2-degree intervals either side of North to allow for accurate compensation for magnetic variation. The compass needle can be locked when not in use.

The hour plate, graduated from 4 am to 8 pm at 5-minute intervals, has a folding gnomon to the centre and a hinged latitude arm graduated at 1-degree intervals from 0 to 90 degrees.

The maroon leather covered case has a blue silk & velvet lining with a paper label in the base indicating the difference between solar time and mean time throughout the year.

Stock No. C1107