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Sundials

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Sundials For Sale
Period: 19th Century
Period: Early 20th Century
English Late 19th Century Sundial with Carved Limestone and Bronze Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English sundial from the late 19th century, with carved limestone and bronze top. This English sundial features an obelisk-shaped base, raised on a pyramidal plinth, with cut-off ...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Sundials

Materials

Sandstone, Bronze

Reclaimed Bronze Garden Sundial on Alabaster Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Unusually mounted on an alabaster pedestal, this early 20th century reclaimed bronze sundial is an elegant centrepiece for gardens traditional and modern alike. Beautifully weather...
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Sundials

Materials

Alabaster, Bronze

Antique Swedish Atlas Sundial
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Antique Swedish Atlas Sundial in Original condition.
Category

1920s Swedish Primitive Vintage Sundials

Materials

Concrete, Metal

Antique Swedish Sundial
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Antique Swedish Sundial in original condition.
Category

1910s Swedish Primitive Vintage Sundials

Materials

Concrete, Metal

Antique York Stone Sundial of Baluster Shape
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An English carved York limestone sundial of baluster shape, fitted with its original slate sundial plate and bronze gnomon. Various fine inscriptions are etched into the slate plate,...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Metal, Bronze

Antique 19th Century Square Marble Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique 19th century square marble sundial dating to circa 1893. This Victorian wall mounted sundial stands out with its black painted iron gno...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Marble, Iron

Antique Keuffel & Esser Co 141547 Surveyors Compass in Case w Wooden Tripod Base
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Keuffel & Esser Co 141547 Surveyors Compass in Case with Adjustable Wooden Tripod Base. Circa Early to Mid 20th Century. Measurements: Case: ...
Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Sundials

Materials

Metal

19th Century English Reconstituted Stone Sundial
Located in Houston, TX
English Garden sundial on reconstituted stone. Metal sundial is loose.
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Sundials

Materials

Cast Stone

Large Armillary Sundial with Cast Iron Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Large Armillary Sundial with cast iron pedestal. A Victorian white painted, Cast Iron sundial pedestal. The column is cast with four eagles and leave...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Steel, Iron

Tabletop Antique Garden Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Dating from the early 20th century, this small tabletop antique garden sundial sees a stylistically carved York stone base below a later horizon...
Category

Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Antique Terracotta Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Antique Terracotta Garden Armillary Sundial. This antique sundial made by Blanchard (stamped) is something to be admired with its sheer scale. The T...
Category

Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Sundials

Materials

Steel

Compton Pottery Terracotta Sundial
Located in London, GB
A fine Compton Pottery terracotta sundial with original bronze gnomon, circa 1900.
Category

Early 1900s Antique Sundials

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Solar Signal Cannon on Marble Sundial
Located in Charleston, SC
Incredibly cool 19th century solar powered signal canon marble sun dial base. This signal cannon can be set to ignite with the sun through the attached magnifying glass- which can be...
Category

19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Marble, Iron

19th Century York Stone Sundial with Bronze Plate
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A good baluster shaped Yorkstone sundial with a nicely weathered finish. Measures: Base Diameter 95 cm Top Diameter 43 cm Sundial Plate Diameter 25 cm.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone

Antique Portland Stone Pedestal with Bronze Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Antique Portland Stone and Bronze Sundial. English carved Portland limestone sundial of baluster shape, fitted with its original bronze sundial plate.
Category

Early 20th Century Sundials

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Antique Victorian English Medieval Styled Solid Bronze Architectural Sundial
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Presumably having English origins, this antique solid bronze sundial is ornately cast with a series of Medieval figures across the top portion and standing in the facade of an arched...
Category

Late 19th Century English Medieval Antique Sundials

Materials

Bronze

Antique Carved York-Stone Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Good scale, with weathered appearance. Small bronze sundial plate with gnomon. Top Diameter 35 cm Base Diameter 33 cm x 33 cm.
Category

19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone

Antique Marble and Bronze Noonday Cannon Sundial with Terracotta Pedestal
By Alexandre Louis Chevalier de Marolles de Lucé
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique marble and bronze noonday cannon sundial by Louis Marie Arthur Chevalier (1830-1874). Noonday Cannon Sundial This sundial is inscribed ‘CONSTRUIT PAR ARTHUR CHEVALIER PALAIS’. It is based on a noonday cannon commissioned by the Sun King, Louis XIV, for the gardens of Versaille. This miniature bronze cannon...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Sundials

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Georgian Style Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A Georgian style garden sundial. The 20th century armillary sphere mounted upon a Georgian red sandstone column plinth. Additional Dimensions: Overall ...
Category

19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Sandstone, Steel

Scottish Sundial
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
An eternally functioning timepiece, this 19th century Scottish sundial adds a bold statement to every environment. Atop a grand sandstone pillar, thi...
Category

19th Century Scottish Antique Sundials

Materials

Sandstone

English Lead Sundial On Painted Wood Base . Circa 1840
Located in Hollywood, SC
English lead sundial resting on fluted painted circular wood base. Mid 19th Century
Category

1840s British William IV Antique Sundials

Reclaimed Armillary Sundial on Limestone Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This reclaimed armillary sundial is a handsome focal point for a walled garden or courtyard. The sundial features a steel garden armillary sphere dating from the late 20th century ab...
Category

Early 20th Century English Georgian Sundials

Materials

Limestone, Steel

Rare Astrolabe on Wood Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Very nice astrolabe on wood base. Great example, very rare.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Sundials

Materials

Bronze

Related Items
Atlas Armillary Sundial in Pewter Finish with Brass Accents
Located in Stamford, CT
The Greeks have used sundials to measure time since 100 B.C. Reminiscent of classic Greek mythology, this Atlas Armillary Sundial will demand attention, ...
Category

2010s Indian Sundials

Materials

Aluminum, Brass

Monumental Carved Stone and Iron Armillary Sundial from Italy, H-99.5 inches
Located in Dallas, TX
Standing at over eight feet tall (99.5 inches!), this monumental stone and iron armillary sundial was hand-carved in Italy. The four-ring armillary sphere has a central arrow gnomon ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron

Vintage Swedish Atlas Armillary Sundial Attributed to Sune Roth
By Sune Rooth
Located in Bochum, NRW
Vintage Original Sun Clock or Armillary Sun Dial attributed to Sune Rooth, mid-20th century. Antique garden ornament from Sweden, known as a Sun Clock or Armillary Sun dial, with a c...
Category

1940s European Art Deco Vintage Sundials

Materials

Copper, Wrought Iron

Italian Baluster Form Sundial in Carved Limestone
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved with a baluster form column, this Italian sundial is topped by a four-ring iron armillary sphere with a lancing arrow gnomon. The robust column has multiple incuts and pr...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials

Materials

Limestone, Metal, Iron

Carved Italian Marble Sundial with Iron Gnomon
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-carved in Italy, this beautiful marble sundial has a turned iron gnomon that mirrors a thin twisted rope molding along the outer edges. Beneath the gnomon attachment are colored inserts that form a blue, red, yellow, and green compass rose, providing a colorful contrast to the cream marble with subtle tan and gray veining. As the earth rotates on its axis, the gnomon casts a shadow onto the marble which is incised with Roman Numerals on a stylized scroll. Directly under the tip of the angled gnomon is “XII”, indicating noon. The numbers to the left of XII run counterclockwise, starting with “VI”. On the opposite side, the numerals continue in a counterclockwise manner, terminating in a second “VI” (which would be PM if the sundial...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials

Materials

Marble, Iron

Antique Stone Balusters
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Antique stone Balusters Item #: GE-0030 Additional information: - Dimensions: 25.75"H x 8"W x 4"D.
Category

19th Century French Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Limestone

Antique Stone Balusters
Antique Stone Balusters
H 25.75 in W 8 in D 4 in
Swedish Atlas Armillary Sundial Mounted on Hand-Carved Antique Stone Plinth
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swedish armillary of Atlas mounted onto stone plinth. This vintage Swedish armillary sundial is supported on the single arm of mighty Atlas, and is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Sundials

Materials

Stone, Metal, Copper

19th Century English Reconstituted Stone Sundial
Located in Houston, TX
English Garden sundial on reconstituted stone. Metal sundial is loose.
Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Sundials

Materials

Cast Stone

Large Armillary Sundial with Cast Iron Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Large Armillary Sundial with cast iron pedestal. A Victorian white painted, Cast Iron sundial pedestal. The column is cast with four eagles and leave...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Steel, Iron

Antique Terracotta Garden Armillary Sundial
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Antique Terracotta Garden Armillary Sundial. This antique sundial made by Blanchard (stamped) is something to be admired with its sheer scale. The T...
Category

Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Antique Sundials

Materials

Steel

Antique Terracotta Garden Armillary Sundial
Antique Terracotta Garden Armillary Sundial
H 88.19 in W 29.14 in D 23.63 in
Cast & Carved Stone Spanish Garden Sundial
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous large Unusual form cast & carved stone Spanish Garden sundial. Cast and imprinted with its makers name & date (1938), this will enhance all gardens that it graces. Roman num...
Category

1970s American Greco Roman Vintage Sundials

Materials

Cast Stone, Iron

Swedish Armillary Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
This figural armillary of Atlas, constructed of metal with a copper numeric banding, hails from Sweden. Original matte black finish and mounted on a well-proportioned custom wooden pedestal also painted in black lacquer. It is missing one strip of numbers on the inside ring but makes a beautiful over-sized sculpture for a variety of decor styles. Please note the listing is for the sculpture only. The antique white pedestal...
Category

1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Sundials

Materials

Metal

Swedish Armillary Sculpture
Swedish Armillary Sculpture
H 34 in W 15 in D 25 in
Previously Available Items
Rare Astrolabe on Wood Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Very nice astrolabe on wood base. Great example, very rare.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Sundials

Materials

Bronze

Rare Astrolabe on Wood Base
Rare Astrolabe on Wood Base
H 22.25 in W 15.25 in D 15.25 in
19th Century Cotswold Stone Sundial
Located in Donhead St Mary, Wiltshire
A 19th century cotswold stone sundial with earlier Cary's London bronze plate, on a hexagonal stone base Additional information: Material: Stone.
Category

19th Century Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone

19th Century Cotswold Stone Sundial
19th Century Cotswold Stone Sundial
H 36.23 in W 33.47 in D 33.47 in
Antique Garden Sundial from Fort Belvedere
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
This large antique garden sundial once resided in the grounds of Fort Belvedere, a Grade II listed country house in Surrey UK, built in the 1750s. Pictured is a black and white photograph of the front of Fort Belvedere circa early-Mid 19th Century showing what we believe to be this sundial in the centre of the driveway. Fort Belvedere was the residence of various members of the British royal family during the late 18th to mid 20th centuries. Perhaps the most notable was King Edward VIII, who signed his abdication at Fort Belvedere in 1936, passing the throne to his brother, George VI, and subsequently Queen Elizabeth II. This spectacular antique garden sundial dates from the 1830s, around the time when Fort Belvedere was undergoing significant renovations in a Gothic Revival style. To this day, Fort Belvedere remains a part of the British Crown Estate and resides within the grounds of Windsor Great Park. Part garden ornament, part sundial, the design is thought to be based on a ‘flower clock...
Category

Early 19th Century English Gothic Antique Sundials

Materials

Limestone, Bronze, Lead

Antique Garden Sundial from Fort Belvedere
Antique Garden Sundial from Fort Belvedere
H 44.49 in W 30.71 in D 13.39 in
Antique Garden Sundial, English, Stone Pedestal, Bronze Gnomon, Decor, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique garden sundial. An English, reconstituted stone pedestal with bronze gnomon, dating to the Edwardian period, circa 1910. D...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Sundials

Materials

Stone, Bronze

English Stone & Metal Armillary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English gardens often have an armillary. These instruments were designed by the ancient Greeks to theoretically track the planets and stars. Adding a touch of whimsy, this maintenance free garden element will enhance any outdoor space. The more recent iron sphere...
Category

19th Century English Other Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Metal, Iron

English Stone & Metal Armillary
English Stone & Metal Armillary
H 72.75 in Dm 29.5 in
English Stone & Metal Armillary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English gardens often have an armillary. These instruments were designed by the ancient Greeks to theoretically track the planets and stars. Adding a touch of whimsy, this maintenance free garden element will enhance any outdoor space. Each side of the square pedestal showcases a female figure in bas-relief with Hellinistic inspiration. The more recent iron sphere...
Category

19th Century English Other Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Iron, Metal

English Stone & Metal Armillary
English Stone & Metal Armillary
H 69.25 in Dm 29.75 in
English Stone & Iron Armillary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English gardens often have an armillary. These instruments were designed by the ancient Greeks to theoretically track the planets and stars. Adding a touch of whimsy, this maintenance free garden element will enhance any outdoor space. Each side of the square pedestal showcases a whimsical floral motif. The iron...
Category

19th Century English Other Antique Sundials

Materials

Stone, Metal, Iron

Early 20th Century English Cast Iron Sundial Garden Ornament
Located in Atlanta, GA
An excellent 20th century example of an English cast iron sundial. (Base measures 11”).
Category

Early 20th Century Sundials

Materials

Iron

Antique Neoclassical Verdigris Sundial with Hard Stone Doric Column Base c1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Neoclassical garden sundial offers verdigris dial having Roman numerals and raised on cast stone Doric column base, c1920 Measures- 30''H x 11.75''W x 11.75''D. Catalogu...
Category

Early 20th Century Neoclassical Sundials

Materials

Stone, Concrete, Metal

Large 19th Century French Sundial
Located in Ongar, GB
A beautiful large antique metal sundial from France. It has a lovely weathered patina. Hanging chain on the back so it can be hung from a wall. Cir...
Category

19th Century French Antique Sundials

Materials

Metal

Large 19th Century French Sundial
Large 19th Century French Sundial
H 1.97 in W 40.95 in D 40.95 in
Armillary Sundial in Bronze on Limestone Pedestal
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
Cast in bronze, this armillary sundial sits upon a limestone pedestal in the neoclassical style. It is a beautiful addition to a country garden wher...
Category

Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sundials

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Bronze

Early 20th Century Carved Portland Stone Sundial
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A well-executed and large-scale, early 20th Century carved Portland stone sundial. With original octagonal bronze plate, attributed to J P White. The whole is in good condition, be...
Category

Early 20th Century British Country Sundials

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Early 20th Century Carved Portland Stone Sundial
Early 20th Century Carved Portland Stone Sundial
H 46.07 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in

Antique and Vintage Sundials

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.

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