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Hand Compass and Sundial

Details

ProvenanceThe inscription ‘Light’ on the box would indicate possession by Colonel William Light, South Australia’s first Surveyor-General.SignificancePart of the Historical Relics Collection.

On 11 January 1837 Light began his survey for the capital. His plan for North Adelaide and South Adelaide (now the central business district) on either side of the River Torrens and surrounded by a belt of parklands, was completed by May of that year. Light’s Plan, with its grid layout of streets and squares, is the foundation and guiding framework of the City of Adelaide.DescriptionHand compass and sundial set into recessed circles within a polished mahogany box. The box has a hinged lid operated by two (possibly brass) hinges at the back and two (possibly brass) hooks at the front. These hooks rotate inward to catch upon metal pins on the lid front. Printed paper discs are inserted within circular recesses (5.5cm lid and 5.3 cm base) cut from the box interior. The lid disc appears to be a ‘calendar’ and the base disc holds compass points. The sundial sits above a glass cover in the base recess, this appears to be brass. Roman numerals are at regular intervals for approximately 75% of the sundial outer rim. The word Light is written in black, cursive script on the lower left corner of the interior wood face. Small metal pin above inscription halts compass movement when pressed.

The hand compass and sundial was most probably brought from England to Australia in 1836. Dialling (gnomonics) is a branch of applied mathematics dealing with the construction of sundials, first dating coming from 300 BC. Sundials were used until the introduction of accurate clocks and were renamed in the 19th century as solar chronometers. While no exact replica photographs were found, it is possible Light’s compass/sundial is based on the Magnetic Azimuth Dial where the magnetic compass needle tells the time as the dial is pointed toward the sun. These dials were most popular in the first half of the 19th century. A photograph of Light’s compass sundial is in the object file, together with further information regarding dials.Creator (person) Creator (organisation) Acknowledgement KeywordssurveyingToolsToolsDate of Creation1800 - 1830Date of Usage1800sMaterialWood (mahogany)
|metal
|paper
|glass
DimensionType: Total
Height: 61
Width: 63
Depth: 25
Unit (Lengths): mm
Accession NumberHT 1997.0531

Connections

CollectionA Great Southern LandMigration Museum Collection

Image Credits

Image FilenameHT1997-0531_CI44754.jpgCopyrightMigration MuseumLicenseCC-0PhotographerRachel Harris, Bit Scribbly Design

Image Credits

Image FilenameHT1997-0531_CI20109.jpgCopyrightHistory Trust of South AustraliaLicenseCC-0PhotographerRachel Harris, Bit Scribbly Design

Image Credits

Image FilenameHT1997-0531_CI44754.jpgCopyrightMigration Museum

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