Portable equatorial sundial 1720 - 1730

This portable equatorial sundial, created by Ludewig between 1720 and 1730, is a beautiful example of 18th-century scientific instrument making. It is a complex piece of machinery that was used to tell time by the position of the sun. The sundial features a compass, a curved gnomon (the part that casts the shadow), and various scales for measuring time. The compass, centered on the dial's face, is surrounded by a graduated scale and a ring with wind directions, highlighting the instrument's navigational function. The sundial's delicate engravings and intricate details showcase the craftsmanship of the period, making it both a functional device and a work of art. The sundial is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.