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sellingantiques.co.uk
ID #SA1208114
FOR SALE
£550
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Diptych Portable Maritime Sundial and Compass. Circa 1780.
Earl and Rymer
for sale €644     $699
£550
Earl and Rymer

Earl and Rymer

Sellingantiques Verified Since Feb 2026
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    Earl & rymer specialise in beautiful, interesting and unusual decorative antiques and art.
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Id #SA1208114
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Diptych Portable Maritime Sundial and Compass. Circa 1780.

18th century
For Sale by Earl and Rymer
Description

Exquisite diptych portable maritime sundial and compass. Circa 1780.

Made from fruitwood and hand-painted paper. Excellent condition, although the string has been replaced.

Physical Dimensions
Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
5cm (1.97")
Depth
1.5cm (0.59")
Declaration

Earl and Rymer has dated this Diptych Portable Sundial Compass to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1208114
Dealers Internal Reference
835
Description
Exquisite diptych portable maritime sundial and compass. Circa 1780.

Made from fruitwood and hand-painted paper. Excellent condition, although the string has been replaced.

Height
8cm (3.15")
Width
5cm (1.97")
Depth
1.5cm (0.59")
Date of Manufacture

Earl and Rymer has dated this Diptych Portable Sundial Compass to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1208114
Dealers Internal Ref
835
Earl and Rymer
Earl and Rymer
Sellingantiques verified Since Feb 2026

Earl & rymer specialise in beautiful, interesting and unusual decorative antiques and art.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Earl and Rymer Profile Page

Relevant Links
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SAVE
A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass.
1 / 4
Archive I A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass.

Diptych Portable Maritime Sundial and Compass. Circa 1780.

Archive II A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass. View II
Archive III A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass. View III
Archive IV A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass. View IV
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Earl and Rymer

Earl and Rymer
Telephone 07879 460591
Location
York
Yorkshire
United Kingdom

By appointment only.
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/earlandrymer
Verified Since Feb 2026
Items For Sale 125
Items Sold 19
Earl and Rymer
Earl and Rymer
Verified Since Feb 2026
View Dealer Info
Location: York, Yorkshire, United Kingdom, , By appointment only.
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/earlandrymer
Verified
Feb 2026
For Sale
125
Sold
19
A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass.
Diptych Portable Maritime Sundial and Compass. Circa 1780.
Ref: SA1208114
A small hinged rectangular wooden diptych sundial displayed open, showing hand-tinted paper hour dials, floral details, a central thread gnomon, and a glass-covered circular compass.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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FAQs

A diptych portable sundial consists of two hinged wooden or ivory leaves that open to form a right angle, combining a solar hour dial with an integrated magnetic compass to align and determine time.

These navigational instruments were typically crafted from fruitwood or boxwood, decorated with engraved and hand-tinted paper faces, brass compass components, protective glass covers, and thread gnomons.

Authentic period examples feature period-appropriate typography, copperplate engraved paper scales with hand colouring, natural age patina on the timber, and historical directional markings such as cardinal directions in Latin or German.

Display the open diptych sundial on a wooden study desk, bookshelf, or within a glass cloche alongside leather-bound books and brass objects to accent a classic interior scheme.

Store the item in a stable, climate-controlled environment away from direct sunlight, moisture, and heat sources to prevent timber movement, paper degradation, and loss of original pigments.
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