Antique Armillary Sundial
Late 19th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
Steel, Iron
Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Armillary Sundial
Steel
Late 19th Century Modern Antique Armillary Sundial
Steel
19th Century English Georgian Antique Armillary Sundial
Sandstone, Steel
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Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Armillary Sundial
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Mid-20th Century British Rococo Antique Armillary Sundial
Composition
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Armillary Sundial
Brass
21st Century and Contemporary French Antique Armillary Sundial
Crystal, Iron
20th Century English Antique Armillary Sundial
Stone, Iron
17th Century Italian Baroque Antique Armillary Sundial
Spruce
19th Century French Gothic Revival Antique Armillary Sundial
Wood, Giltwood
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Armillary Sundial
Wood, Giltwood
19th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
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Early 20th Century English Charles II Antique Armillary Sundial
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1940s French Art Deco Antique Armillary Sundial
Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Antique Armillary Sundial
Bronze
Early 1900s European Antique Armillary Sundial
Marble
1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Antique Armillary Sundial
Chestnut
1890s Aesthetic Movement Antique Armillary Sundial
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19th Century Japanese Antique Armillary Sundial
Straw, Wood, Paper
Recent Sales
Late 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Antique Armillary Sundial
Copper, Iron
19th Century English Antique Armillary Sundial
Marble, Copper, Bronze, Iron
19th Century Italian Antique Armillary Sundial
Mid-18th Century English George II Antique Armillary Sundial
1910s French Antique Armillary Sundial
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Armillary Sundial
Stone, Steel
Early 20th Century European Antique Armillary Sundial
Metal
19th Century British Antique Armillary Sundial
Composition, Iron, Copper
17th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Antique Armillary Sundial
19th Century English Antique Armillary Sundial
19th Century French Antique Armillary Sundial
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Antique Armillary Sundial
1920s French Antique Armillary Sundial
Cast Stone, Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish Antique Armillary Sundial
Limestone, Brass
1890s English Renaissance Revival Antique Armillary Sundial
Metal
Early 1900s French Antique Armillary Sundial
Copper, Iron
18th Century European Antique Armillary Sundial
Limestone
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Antique Armillary Sundial
Stone, Limestone, Bronze
Late 19th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
Stone, Steel
Early 1900s Swedish Neoclassical Antique Armillary Sundial
Iron, Copper
Late 19th Century North American Antique Armillary Sundial
Metal
19th Century European Classical Roman Antique Armillary Sundial
Metal
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Armillary Sundial
Carrara Marble, Steel
17th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Danish Antique Armillary Sundial
Early 20th Century Danish Antique Armillary Sundial
Stone, Metal
Early 20th Century English Georgian Antique Armillary Sundial
Limestone, Steel
Mid-18th Century Dutch Antique Armillary Sundial
Limestone, Iron
19th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
Brass
Early 1800s English Antique Armillary Sundial
19th Century English Antique Armillary Sundial
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Swedish Antique Armillary Sundial
Bronze, Copper
19th Century American Antique Armillary Sundial
Iron
Early 20th Century American Antique Armillary Sundial
Iron, Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish Antique Armillary Sundial
Iron
1920s French Antique Armillary Sundial
Early 20th Century American Antique Armillary Sundial
Metal
Early 20th Century Swedish Antique Armillary Sundial
19th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
Stone, Metal
Early 20th Century Antique Armillary Sundial
19th Century Scottish Antique Armillary Sundial
Early 20th Century Swedish Antique Armillary Sundial
Iron
Antique Armillary Sundial For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Antique Armillary Sundial?
Finding the Right sundials for You
Although typically decorative, antique and vintage sundials transport a guest in your home to a different era, their simple function a tether to the ancient world.
Humans have tracked time since the dawn of civilization. Before the invention of precise mechanical clocks, various materials including water and incense were used to mark the passage of time. The sundial was one of the earliest of these timekeeping devices.
The oldest known sundial dates back to 1,500 B.C. in Egypt. The very first sundials were simple stone blocks with markings and a vertical needle of wood or metal to indicate the hours with its shadow. Later Greek sundials had a gnomon parallel to the axis of the Earth. Some flat sundials from the Islamic world were directional objects for pointing the way to Mecca.
Mechanical clocks use a series of gears and springs to track time precisely; sundials rely on light and shadow. As sunlight crosses over a sundial, it casts a shadow that moves across the face of the dial as the Earth rotates.
There are now more accurate, easier and probably cooler ways to tell time, yet the sundial persists. It is not uncommon to find flat stone sundials among an assemblage of decorative elements in colorful gardens and standing sundials in expertly appointed outdoor spaces.
While garden sundials are among the most popular sundials today, sundials made of metal, stone, bronze and more can be found on 1stDibs to match any taste or setting. The collection also includes sundials of Scandinavian, British and North American origins.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To make your very own armillary sundial, first, take two hoops and mark 90 degrees apart on each hoop. Then, glue the two hoops together at the marked points. Lock in a straight piece of wood between the two, set your device at 45 degrees and voila! Or, save the hassle and shop a selection of collectable armillary sundials on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To use an armillary sundial, first place the sundial on the base without securing it. Then use a compass to find true north, and point the gnomon in that direction. Shop a collection of armillary sundials from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
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