Reiszonnewijzer/ kompas-zonnewijzer in schildpadhoornen doos 17th century

This portable sundial was made by Charles Bloud sometime between the late 17th and early 18th century from turtle shell. The material itself has a mottled, organic quality that almost seems to anticipate the patterns of the cosmos. The shell had to be carefully prepared, flattened, and polished. The engraved details were likely etched by hand with sharp tools and the hinged box skillfully constructed. Consider the cultural significance: turtle shell was a luxury material, obtained through global trade networks, and possessed both scientific and status value. Bloud’s sundial speaks to a time when knowing the hour was a privilege, a symbol of control over one’s day. It also demonstrates the skill of artisans who transformed a raw natural substance into a precision instrument. When we consider such an object, we can appreciate how much labor, knowledge, and cultural meaning could be packed into even the smallest of things.