
Magnetic compass and sundial by Henry Sutton
- Made:
- 1650-1665
- maker:
- H. Sutton and Henry Sutton






Folding pocket compass and sundial in boxwood case made by Henry Sutton, Threadneedle Street, London, 1650-1665.
Portable compasses and sundials were simple tools that were useful for navigation on land, river and at sea (to a limited extent). Compass needles needed to be re-magnetised occasionally by rubbing against a lodestone. Henry Sutton, the maker of this instrument, was a leading mathematical instrument maker in London. He died in the plague of 1665 and his loss was lamented by the Royal Society.
Details
- Category:
- Navigation
- Object Number:
- 1928-942
- Materials:
- wood (unidentified), brass (copper, zinc alloy), glass, cotton (fibre), paper (fibre product) and ink
- Measurements:
-
overall: 24 mm x 131 mm x 129 mm, .285kg
- type:
- magnetic compass and sundial
- credit:
- Court, Thomas Henry