Maritime Pocket Sundial

During the European Dark Ages, the use of the sundial was further studied in the Arabic world, with the introduction of trigonometry adding to the accuracy of measurements, and the use of twelve equal length segments. As advances from the Middle East began to flow back to Europe the “Art of Dialing” became a part of an educated person’s lessons, taking into account new mathematics to produce accurate readings. At this same time the antique compass was being dispersed throughout Europe, leading to what would become the Age of Discovery. The golden age of the sundial in Europe was from 1500-1800, while simultaneously European powers used the antique compass to expand across the globe. In 1570 the Italian astronomer Giovanni Padovani published a treaty with the first known manufacturing instructions for a sundial, and in 1670 Giuseppe Biancani wrote Constructivo Instrumenti ad Horologia Solaria to describe constructing the perfect sundial, much like the one on this solid brass compass. With advances in both design and production, both the sundial and the antique compass became large parts of everyday and nautical life. Sailors relied upon the antique brass compass to find their way, as well as using it to determine their correct latitude and longitude. With these correct readings, sailors were then able to calibrate their sundials and produce a very accurate time for wherever in the world they may be.