Dollond, London

An early nineteenth century, 12-inch diameter, bronze horizontal sundial engraved with the maker's name Dollond London. The centre of the dial is also engraved with a sixteen point compass rose and a table for the equation of time. The equation table is based on the Gregorian calendar which was introduced into Britain in 1752.

The dial was made for a latitude of 52 degrees North (approx) which is the latitude of Hereford and Milton Keynes. The dial is graduated at 2-minute intervals between the hours of 3.40 am and 8.20 pm and is also engraved with diamond shaped half-hour markers.
 

The Dollond family business, founded by John Dollond about 1752, continued throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century. The name survives in the name of the opticians Dollond & Aitchison.

Stock No. C963