ENGLISH BRASS UNIVERSAL EQUINOCTIAL RING DIAL - IN THE STYLE OF JOHN FOWLER

English, early 18th century, central bridge with double pin-hole gnomon sliding over calendar and zodiacal scales, outer meridian ring engraved with latitude scale 0-90-0-90-0 degrees, hours engraved in Roman numerals, 127mm diameter.

This dial is very simply engraved, with little decoration, but contains very careful work with accurately divided scales. Although not named, the engraving is in the style of John Fowler. John Fowler worked between 1721 and 1750 from The Globe, Sweeting’s Alley by the Royal Exchange, London, and specialised in sundials and compasses. It demonstrates the austerity of English instruments at this time.