Solid Brass Captain's Triangle Sundial Compass w/ Rosewood Box 3"

The sundial in its basic form is a simple tool, basically unchanged from its inception thousands of years ago, and considered the first scientific instrument. Initially just a stake in the ground, called a gnomon from the Greek word “to know,” early models were used by ancient Egyptians and Babylonians to mark the sun’s movement. Later, with the round sundial, time was marked by the direction of the sun’s shadow not simply by the shadow’s length. Similar to the sundial, antique compasses were a basic device that utilized the Earth’s magnetic field. Discovered by the early Chinese, a needle when rubbed against lodestone became magnetized, and when hung from a small thread would always point due North or South. This antique compass for sale combines these two early instruments into one elegant device. With further advancements in astronomy and mathematics the ancient Greeks came to understand that the sun’s movement appeared different in differing latitudes, and they learned to calibrate the sundial to provide more accurate times. As the Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical pattern, and the Earth’s equator is not actually in line with the orbital plane, these minor variations were recognized as important factors in determining time. 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. With all of this information new sundials were created that became much more accurate. To measure time a sundial needs to be vertically leveled using a plumb or bubble-level, adjusted to point to true North, and corrected for its latitude and longitude. While mathematics and astronomy can determine the latitude and longitude, the solid brass compass is able to do the same. As sailors throughout the Age of Discovery found, they could use their compasses to determine their location, and with that information then use a sundial to find the correct time of day. Though this antique compass for sale is more advanced, it still retains the basic principles of both instruments. For the sundial, the gnomon casts a shadow over a face marked with equal measurements, while the compass uses magnetism and a small needle to show the way. With both the compass and the sundial, this antique compass for sale can help you find your way and measure the time it takes you to get there.