Portable Sundial In The Shape Of A Shepherd’s Staff, 18th Century, Carved Wood

A rare and fascinating portable column-shaped sundial, dating from the 18th century and crafted from carved wood. This ingenious scientific instrument belongs to the family of shepherd’s sundials, compact timekeeping devices widely used in Europe for centuries due to their practicality and portability.

The cylindrical body is finely engraved with hour lines and calendar scales corresponding to the different months of the year. By adjusting the instrument according to the season and orienting it toward the sun, the user could determine the approximate time with remarkable precision.

Based on principles already known in antiquity, these portable sundials became particularly popular among shepherds, travelers, surveyors, and rural communities, who needed a reliable method for measuring time far from fixed clocks. Their simple yet ingenious design represents an important chapter in the history of scientific instruments and everyday life.

The warm patina of the wood and the finely engraved graduations enhance the historical charm of this piece, making it as appealing as a collectible scientific instrument as it is as a decorative object.

A rare example of antique portable timekeeping and a moving testament to pre-industrial time measurement.

Dimensions:

Height: 18 cm
Diameter: 3 cm

Condition:
Good condition, consistent with age and use. Normal wear, patina, and slight surface marks for its age. The engravings remain visible and legible.

Keywords:
Florin Antiques