Sundial and case by Michael Butterfield, France, 1680-1700

V&A — Summary

This type of portable sundial was a fashionable traveller's accessory during the late 17th century. The latitudes of towns in Europe including Paris, Rome, London, Madrid and Dublin are engraved on the back. The hinged gnomon (triangular flap made to create a shadow) could be adjusted according to latitude. The gnomon folds flat and the sundial has cut corners to enable the dial to be enclosed in a case and carried in a pocket. The adjustable gnomon enabled the time to be read accurately in a variety of locations. Travellers still carried sundials even when watches became popular. Early watches were not always accurate for long and a dial enable them to be set regularly. A German travellers' guide of the time also recommended sundials over clocks while on the road because the chiming of clocks might attract thieves. This type of sundial is known as a Butterfield dial as it was originally designed by Michael Butterfield, an English instrument maker who worked in Paris during the late 17th century.

V&A — Physical description

Silver sundial with 6 sides engraved with the latitudes of towns in Europe, with a compass at top with blued steel dial and hinged adjustable gnomon, in original black leather case with green velvet lining.

V&A — Historical context

The geographical latitudes of towns in Europe including Paris, Rome, London, Madrid and Dublin are engraved on the back of this sundial. With the inbuilt compass, they helped the traveller to position the sundial, so that he or she could more accurately discover the time of day. A German travellers' guide of the time recommended the use of sundials over clocks, because the chiming of clocks might attract thieves.

V&A — Object history

This is a Butterfield dial, a portable sundial with a compass and a hinged gnomon which could be adjusted according to latitude. This style of sundial was originally designed by Michael Butterfield, an English instrument maker who worked in Paris in the late 17th century.

V&A gallery label

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Before modern transport people largely travelled on foot or on horseback. Useful everyday items needed to be carried comfortably on the body. Some were miniature versions of larger objects, others folded ingeniously to become portable. Often they were intricate and delicate. These eleven items were personal possessions. Many were made before pockets were commonplace. Some were used in the workplace, some at home and some on the road. Many have cases as stylish as the objects they protect. These cases came in a range of materials, from expensive ivory and sharkskin to cheaper leather and wood. Their decoration shows the same designs that adorn silver, ceramics and textiles. All these objects give us interesting insights into work, leisure and social etiquette 1. SUNDIAL Silver and steel, with leather case Paris, 1680-1700 Signed 'Butterfield À Paris' and inscribed with the latitudes of European towns Michael Butterfield was a successful British clockmaker who worked in Paris. He produced many variations of this sundial for gentlemen on the Grand Tour. The compass, dial and table of latitudes enabled travellers to calculate the time in the towns they visited. The cut corners allowed the dial to fit comfortably in a gentleman's pocket. Jones Bequest Museum no. 879&A-1882