Canterbury, portable sundial
Anglo Saxon portable sundial from the Caterbury cathedral.
Gilded and silver plated brass with hand made loop in loop chain terminating in an animal head mount that attaches to the animal headed pin.. The main body has the months of the year engraved on both sides and is topped with an animal headed loop. The gilded top section has engraved knotwork panels.
If the tablet was dangled from a chain, facing the sun, the position of the peg’s shadow gave a rough idea of the time. inscribed with the names of the months and with holes through which a peg was inserted. If the tablet was dangled from a chain, facing the sun, the position of the peg’s shadow gave a rough idea of the time. Around its sides runs the inscription ‘[SA]LVS FACTORI [PA]X POSSESSOR[I]’: ‘Health to my maker, peace to my owner.’
Main body 54mm, 8.5cm chain.