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Interesting Sundials of the World

Interesting Sundials of the World

Largest of the Sundials
The United States can boast of many largest things in the world, such as office buildings, tallest buildings and so forth, but the largest sundial in the world is at Jaipur, India. At least we know of none in existence or contemplated that are larger. Jaipur can also boast of the largest collection of large stationary sundials in the world. The Great Sundial at Jaipur alone occupies nearly an acre of ground. Its sloping gnomon is well over one hundred feet long and wide enough to allow for steps that one may climb up the sloping surface to a covered observatory at the top, where he may look out upon the countryside, the other instruments scattered about over a great area, or he may watch the shadow move across the curved surface of the sundial. The sundials were constructed about 1724 by Jai Singh, Rajah of Jaipur. The shadow casting edges of the gnomons are marble as are the sundial faces. Words cannot adequately describe this great display. The illustrations tell their own story, which with the plan of the grounds, may give some idea as to the gigantic size of the observatory and its instruments. For many years the grounds were neglected and many of the sundials had crumbled to pieces. Fortunately, this great observatory was restored about 1901. In sharp contrast with the great sundials at Jaipur, is the small portable instrument, which is only 7" long, 2 1/2" wide, and 1" high. It was made in japan of olive wood and contains in addition to the small brass hemisphere, an inkwell, compass, abacus or counting apparatus, brush for writing, a small pair of scissors, two ivory-handled drills or needles, and a knife. Could anything be more compact or useful. This and several other similar sundials of various forms are in the Ernst Collection. How many of you know that sundials were used at sea? A device in the Ernst Collection, mounted on gimbals with a heavy weight suspended beneath the plate to keep it level. There is a brass Japanese sundial which records only the noon hour. The plate is fitted with a compass, to aid in setting. It may be dismantled when not in use and carried in the wood box.

SUNDIALS: AN INTERESTING ARMILLARY
One of the finest armillaries in the United States is situated on the campus of Phillips Academy, in Andover, Massachusetts. We are indebted to Dr. Claude W. Fuess, Headmaster of the Academy, who kindly furnished the following description, written by Mr. Paul Manship, the designer and sculptor of this unique sundial. "The path of the sun is shown by the Ecliptic and the Signs of the Zodiac are portrayed in high relief on the band of the equator. The shaft, representing the axis of the earth, points to the North Star; and its shadow on the belt of the equator indicates the hour. The four Elements, as well as Dawn and Evening, figure in the decorative scheme: Water in the wave motif, with the Earth motif growing out of it; Air is represented by the ribbon, and Fire on the flaming meridian. The whole is supported by turtles, emblems of eternity. Man, Woman, and Child make up the Cycle of Life, as the sphere itself symbolizes the Cycle of Eternity." This sphere with its pedestal and base, as a unit, might well be symbolical of character, strength, and dignity, thus being an ever present reminder of the responsibility of all such institutions to men in the making. More on interesting sundials...

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