A GLASS AND ENAMELLED EMBELLISHED GILT AND CHISELLED BRONZE PORTABLE SUNDIAL晷 (Guǐ) AND COMPASS 罗盘 (Luópán) CHINA, POSSIBLY CANTON / GUANGZHOU, QING DYNASTY This portable sundial is shaped as a cross and is made up of gilt bronze partially chiselled and further enhanced with enamel and glass. The bases of the triangular ends bear the screw feet that can be rotated to adjust the height. The level of the sundial can be adjusted thanks to the water level and the plumb line. Once this would have been done, the compass would be used to orient the instrument correctly. The articulated gnomon would then cast a shadow on the dial to give the time. The dial and the compass are made of black and white enamelled plaques. The ends of the dial are enhanced with blue glass beads inscribed with the cardinal points, i.e. dōng (东), nán (南), xī (西) and běi (北). Sold together with its original box (missing lid). L: 16 cm - w: 11 cm Notes: 1. A sundial is a horological device that tells the time of day when there is sunlight by the apparent position of the Sun in the sky. In the narrowest sense of the word, it consists of a flat plate (the dial) and a gnomon, which casts a shadow onto the dial. Humans have been using sundials for a very long time, as early as 6,000 years ago with the Babylonians. In ancient China, it first appeared in the Sui Dynasty in AD 574. However, it has not regularly been used for centuries as the technology was not that precise. It is only in the late 17trh century that the technology was enhanced, with the use of horizontal sundials, thanks to the Western Missionaries. 2. Similar sundial are commonly described as having been made in Guangzhou and offered as a tribute to the Imperial Court in Beijing. 3. A similar sundial was sold at CHRISTIE’S Hong Kong, China, 2000-04-30, lot 511. Another similar sundial is preserved in the collection of the National Palace Museum in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China, and has been reproduced in ‘The Complete Collection of The Treasures of The Palace Museum’ (故宮博物院藏文物珍品全集), ‘Western Instruments of the Qing Palace’ (清宮西洋儀器), Commercial Press, Hong Kong, 2001, p. 25, fig. 18. 玻璃及珐琅和青铜装饰鎏金便携式日晷和罗盘 中国，可能为广州，清代 NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.