Sundial stories

Butterton church sundial and memorial brass from Tideswell

Butterton Church sundial restored

The Butterton church sundial has a new brass gnomon on the old dial plate. After many years outdoors the brass plate has turned green in colour. The Gothic script on the back of the plate shows it came from the Pursglove memorial in Tideswell church.

A few years ago we restored the sundial at St Bartholomew’s Church in the lovely Staffordshire village of Butterton. We found that the brass dial plate had ancient engraving in Gothic script on the underside, which was a mystery. The writing looked like part of a memorial brass, and we now know it came from Tideswell church in Derbyshire. Continue reading

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Sundial stones in a Scottish garden — the restoration

Ancient sundial pillar after restoration

A falling tree broke off the top of this pillar in Storm Arwen. The two sundial stones fell down to the ground. The pillar now has a new top section matched to the original stone. The sundial sections are clean and restored.

In November 2021, Storm Arwen caused serious damage with very strong winds especially in eastern Scotland. On one country estate an oak tree crashed onto this historic sundial in the family garden. It smashed the ancient pillar supporting the sundial stones. The family wanted to see the sundial fully restored. Continue reading

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Sundial stones found in a Scottish garden — the cruciform stone

Cruciform sundial stone

The cruciform stone has four concave sides leaving four curving arms between them, thus creating the cross shape. This particular stone has a small concave end on each curving arm [not visible in the photo]. So the single stone has eight dials, on four large concave sides and four small ones. [Note: the shadow in this photo is from indoor lighting not from the sun.]

The cruciform type of sundial stone is a clever idea. During the day, as the sun moves round, each of the dials in turn will show a shadow and indicate the time. The straight dial edges cast the shadows. A cruciform stone can be on a lectern sundial but this one appears unique. Continue reading

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An 18th century horizontal garden sundial

A beautiful 18th century horizontal garden sundial

A historic horizontal bronze garden sundial, 1723

A fine 18th century horizontal sundial stands in the gardens of the House of Dun near Montrose. The dial is octagonal made in bronze set in a carved and moulded stone raised on a baluster pedestal and stone step. Elegant tracery scroll work supports the gnomon.

The dial engraving is detailed employing delicacy of variation in deep and light incisions and ornament. The chapter ring carries exact time divisions down to a single minute. Continue reading

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A first sight of the sundial at Lews Castle

A first sight of the Lews Castle sundial

A first sight of the Lews Castle sundial at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis. This was a restoration we completed in 2020.

The sundial at Lews Castle, which overlooks Stornoway harbour on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, is a restoration of a piece of nineteenth century garden furniture. The cast iron pedestal was once the base of a water fountain that stood in the castle grounds. In 2019 work started on a major Castle Grounds Regeneration Project, which included the pedestal. This ornate piece would be restored as a sundial. The Stornoway Trust had a special wish to see a timeline history of the Lews estate written on the dial. Continue reading

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A sundial commission unwrapped for an 80th birthday celebration

A sundial commission for an 80th birthday celebration

The design is a polar sundial, which tilts up at the latitude angle. The happy owner has unwrapped his 80th birthday present from the family.

“My father turns 80 this year and we are looking to commission a sundial in celebration. Is this possible? What’s the process? How long does it take?” When this email appeared in our inbox one day in March of course we wanted to follow it up. It sounded such a lovely suggestion from the family. Later when we learned a little more it looked like a perfect plan. Continue reading

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Armillary sundial reads summer solstice by the shadow of a ball at noon

At the summer solstice the armillary sundial casts a shadow of the ball at noon

At summer solstice the ball on the upper tropic ring casts its shadow exactly onto the opposite ring below. The upper tropical ring is the tropic of Cancer and lower ring is Capricorn.

The armillary sphere dates back to ancient times when astronomers created their own vision of the earth and the heavens. The idea still works today and our own design creates a sundial with a special feature of two balls that mark the passage of the seasons by their shadows. One of the balls reads summer solstice. This is the high point of the year when the sun is highest in the sky. Continue reading

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Sundial restoration at Butterton church turns up a mystery engraving

Brass sundial plate turned over and showing engraved writing on the back

The engraving looks like Gothic script but we didn’t know how to read it. We do hope to learn more about this extraordinary discovery on the back of a brass sundial. So far it has proved a mystery.

The Church of St Bartholomew in the lovely Staffordshire village of Butterton in the Peak District stands on high ground. Its tall spire is visible for miles around. Just near the church’s south porch there is a sundial. The sundial pedestal may once have been part of a medieval stone cross, and the dial made of brass Continue reading

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Restoration of a small brass garden sundial from the 1930s

Brass sundial from the 1930s restored with a new gnomonThis small brass garden sundial had lost its gnomon. It is dearly loved by its owner who has known it since childhood, and she wanted to have it restored. As often happens at different times the family moved home and the sundial moved too. Continue reading

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The last of our songbird sundials flies to Paris

Orbdial sundial design with songbird gnomon

This design is a form of universal sundial. It is adjustable and we build it for its intended latitude.

The last of our songbird sundials has flown away. It now has a new home in a new country, in Paris. This special design appeals to the eye and has intriguing gnomonic features. The new owner already knew that the Orbdial was the one they wanted. Continue reading

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