Portable compass dial 18th century

This portable compass dial was crafted by E.C. Stockert, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century. Its wood and paper construction presents a fascinating interplay between form and function. The dial’s design meticulously merges the aesthetic with the practical. Notice how the vertical sundial contrasts with the horizontal compass, creating a striking visual and functional dichotomy. The painted numerals and decorative floral motifs around the edges aren’t just embellishments; they're integral to understanding the object's cultural context. The compass and sundial embody Enlightenment ideals by structuring and measuring both space and time. They reflect a world increasingly shaped by scientific inquiry and the desire to impose order on the natural world. The compass’s needle, a symbol of direction, becomes a metaphor for the era's intellectual quest. It is a pursuit to navigate the complexities of existence through reason and empirical observation.