Early Clocks
Sundials
Before clocks arrived in England, sundials were being used to tell the time. However, even after the arrival of early clocks, sundials were still very important during the late 16th and early 17th centuries because the earliest clocks were not always accurate, and they had to be reset regularly using sundials as a reference. Lantern clock makers would often sell their clocks, accompanied by a small brass sundial that was made by the clockmaker or in some cases, if the budget allowed - by a Mathematical Instrument Maker.
By Edward Coolinge, 1625
London Sundial
Above. A 400-year-old London sundial, possibly made by the London Mathematical Instrument Maker, Edward Coolinge. Signed E.C and dated 1625, this wonderfully interesting early sundial was made during one of the most historically important years in the history of the British Monarchy. The dial was made in the same year as when the King of England, Scotland and Ireland, James VI and I, died on the 27th of March 1625 and was succeeded to the throne by his second son, Charles I on the same day. Following his succession Charles I, married Henrietta Maria, daughter of the King of France on the 1st of May 1625, by proxy at Notre Dame and in person at Canterbury the following month. This succession would eventually have devastating consequences throughout the entire land as an unpopular King Charles would go on to steer England into a brutal and bloody civil war which ultimately lead to his own death when he was executed outside the banqueting hall in Whitehall on the 30th January 1649. Recent investigations and research into the EC' dial by Dr John Davis of the British Sundial Society (BSS), found the dial hour numerals (inward facing) are punched rather than engraved as is common on these early dials. The small stars for the half-hours are also punched and the cross-pattée for noon is formed from two punched ‘I’s at right angles and denotes this dial was made by a professional Mathematical Instrument Maker as apposed to clockmaker as sets of punches were expensive and was far more time consuming to execute. The angles of the hour lines relative to the noon line were also measured by Dr John Davis who found them to be a latitude of 51.6° and comparable to the best mathematical instrument makers of the period – to a London latitude. Edward Coolinge has been identified as the possible maker for the EC',1625 sundial. This is by no means certain but since Edward Coolinge is the only London Mathematical Instrument Maker with those initials currently known to have worked at the right period - it makes him a very strong and the only realistic candidate as the dials possible maker. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality images. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Charles I
Clockmakers Sundial, 1634
Above. An extremely rare Charles I sundial. The wonderfully original, early 17th century brass sundial shown here is believed to have been made by a provincial clockmaker and has some nice early features including retaining its original, thin brass knife-edge gnomon with its original fringed northern supporting plate. Interestingly, the dial is dated 1634 and was made in the same year as when King Charles I, from October 1634 onwards, levied ship money during peacetime and then extended it to the inland counties of England without Parliamentary approval. This provoked fierce resistance and was one of the grievances of the English propertied class in the lead-up to the English Civil War. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality images. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Clockmakers Sundial, c1650
Cromwellian
Above. Cromwellian Clockmakers sundial, c1650. A rare mid-17th century anonymous 3.5 inch horizontal brass sundial with original gnomon. This sundial is English in design and was probably made by a provincial clockmaker who would have supplied it to the first owner along with a balance wheel lantern clock and the dial would have been used to reset the clocks correct time. This sundial was made in around the year 1650 and interestingly in September of that year and during the Third English Civil War, in the Battle of Dunbar, Parliamentarian forces under Oliver Cromwell's 'New Model Army' defeated the Scottish army, commanded by David Leslie. It was the first major battle of the 1650 invasion of Scotland, which was triggered by Scotland's acceptance of Charles II as king of Britain after the beheading of his father, Charles I in 1649. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality images. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
Clockmakers Sundial
By Deodatus Threlkeld, 1709
Above. Deodatus Threlkeld, dated 1709. This very rare clockmakers sundial which has been signed by its maker is possibly the work of Deodatus Threlkeld , who was working in Newcastle during this time. The J. A. is probably the initials of the first owner and may well be for John Aynsley who was a close friend to Threlkeld for many years. Deodatus Threlkeld was born in 1657. Deodatus was apprenticed in Newcastle and is thought to have been trading for himself by 1680. He made the clock for All Saints in 1691 and was paid £42/3/0d., and engaged at an annual sum of 50/- to keep it in order. In 1703 he was paid a further sum for making the clock strike. He was known nationally and perhaps internationally for his clocks and watches. In 1698 he was challenged by William Prevost, a French clockmaker to see who could make the best clock, winner takes all; Ed. Burgis and Sam. Watson were the judges, Deodatus won. Deodatus. died a rich man in Feb.1733. Click here to see my full article which is shown alongside historic high quality images. Private collection, Photographed by Lee Borrett.
