





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.
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Details
- Category:
- Navigation
- Object Number:
- 1928-942
- Materials:
- brass (copper, zinc alloy), cotton (fibre), glass, ink, paper (fibre product) and wood (unidentified)
- type:
- sundial
- taxonomy:
-
- furnishing and equipment
- vehicle - transportation
- furnishing and equipment
- measuring device - instrument
- credit:
- Court, Thomas Henry
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