Cube Sundial by Beringer, 18th Century
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An Beringer cubic sundial on wooden base with compass. Polyhedral cube sundial comprised of a wooden cube. Each of five sides of the cube (other than the bottom) has an applied hand-colored engraving and a shaped brass gnomon. One side has a brass plumb bob attached by a string. The cube is supported on a pivoting joint atop a turned wood central standard, on a rectangular beveled base ending in four small disc feet. The base has an applied engraved paper panel with floral design and an inset compass to orient the sundial with regard to the North.
The top face of the cube has an engraved paper dial printed with central garland and an hour scale in Roman numerals clockwise from IIII to XII and I to VIII. Each side, North, South, East, and West has a different hour scale in Roman numerals, and different graphic designs, including flowers and people. The North and South faces are labeled Nord and Sud, each with hour scales numbered in Roman numerals along with a central floral garland decoration. The North side is also labeled “D. Beringer.” The West dial displays a diagonal hour scale flanked by cherubs with a garland. The East dial has a similar design as the West, with a plumb bob hanging from a string. Beringer portable cube sundials like this one are also in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the British Museum, and the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England.
In good condition and measurements are 10 x 8 x 18 cm high
