Early Clocks | Lee Borrett
Sundials
Before the arrival of mechanical clocks in England, sundials were the principal means of telling the time. Even after domestic clocks became established during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, sundials continued to play an essential role because the earliest clocks were seldom sufficiently accurate to keep reliable time for long periods. As a result, they were regularly reset by reference to a sundial.
Many lantern clockmakers are believed to have supplied their clocks with a small brass sundial, often referred to today as a ‘windowsill’ sundial. These were made either by the clockmaker himself, by a scientific instrument maker, or, for wealthier customers, by one of London’s highly skilled mathematical instrument makers.
Today these small brass sundials are fascinating historical objects in their own right and provide an important link between the history of timekeeping and the development of the earliest domestic clocks.
Edward Coolinge, dated 1625
London Sundial By
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Signed ‘E.C.’ and dated 1625, this wonderfully rare little brass windowsill sundial is attributed to the London maker Edward Coolinge and survives from an extraordinarily important year in British history. In March 1625 King James I died and his son succeeded him as King Charles I, beginning the reign that would ultimately lead through bitter conflict with Parliament to Civil War and the King’s execution in 1649. Made at the very beginning of that momentous reign, this remarkable little instrument provides a tangible link with England almost exactly four centuries ago. Its early date, unusual compact form and surviving maker’s initials make it not only a fascinating example of early seventeenth-century sundial making, but an historically important survivor from the year in which the Stuart monarchy passed from James I to Charles I... Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality paintings of the period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Charles I, Period
Clockmakers Sundial, 1634
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This wonderfully original early seventeenth-century brass sundial, dated 1634, is believed to have been made by a provincial clockmaker and survives in remarkably complete condition, retaining its original thin brass knife-edge gnomon and unusual fringed northern supporting plate, as confirmed following examination by Dr John Davis of the British Sundial Society. Its importance is enhanced by the historic year engraved upon its dial: 1634, when Charles I issued the first of his controversial Ship Money writs during his Personal Rule, beginning a chain of events that contributed to the growing conflict between Crown and Parliament before the English Civil War. Almost four centuries later, this remarkable little instrument remains both a rare survivor of early provincial craftsmanship and a tangible link with England during the reign of Charles I. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality paintings of the period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
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James I, Period
Clockmaker's Sundial, c1620
The superb, historically interesting small provincial clockmaker's brass sundial illustrated here was possibily made during the reign of King James I, in the early 1620s and is a very rare survivor. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality paintings of the period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
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Charles I
Period Sundial By
William Letchford, Dated 1647
A wonderfully original King Charles I period provincial sundial made in 1647 by William Letchford of Ridley, Kent. Measuring just over 2.8 inches square, this small horizontal brass sundial (sometimes referred to as a ‘windowsill’ dial), is historically interesting and survives complete with its original gnomon. The South point of the scale has been engraved with the initials W. L and dated 1647. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality paintings of the period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Clockmakers Sundial, c1650
Cromwellian
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A rare mid-17th century anonymous 3.5 inch horizontal brass sundial with original gnomon. This sundial is English in design and was probably made by a provincial clockmaker who would have supplied it to the first owner along with a balance wheel lantern clock ..... Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality paintings of the period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Clockmakers Sundial
By Deodatus Threlkeld, 1709
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This very rare clockmakers sundial which has been signed by its maker is possibly the work of Deodatus Threlkeld , who was working in Newcastle during this time. The J. A. is probably the initials of the first owner and may well be for John Aynsley who was a close friend to Threlkeld for many years. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality paintings of the period. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
