Sundials by Robert Foster Commission a dial

Horizontal dials

The Presentation sundial bedded into a rough stone block on a lawn, its darkened bronze-toned plate engraved with Roman numerals and hour lines inside a black rim, fitted with a decorative openwork brass gnomon that casts a shadow across the face.

Presentation

Horizontal sundial in all brass

£225 to £255

Commission the PresentationTwo sizes, with weights

This simple traditional sundial design makes an ideal presentation gift. The engraved design embodies ample space for your personal inscription which is included in the price.

The same design is also made in a square or octagonal format.

The motto for this dial

A shadow round about my face
The sunny hours of day will trace

Sizes and weights

Diameter: 10 in. (280mm)£225includes your inscription. Approx. weight 4.5lbs (2kgs) brass only
Diameter: up to 11.5 in.£255Larger dial made with a particularly ornate gnomon

Your inscription

Brass and Bronze are both excellent for engraving, Aluminium less so. The full globe armillaries offer an ideal surface for your personal message: along the top facing side of the Equator.

On sundials which do not have a surface suitable for engraving, a separate brass plaque can usually be fixed to the top of the pedestal to provide a fine alternative.

Robert's guide price for an inscription is from £65.00.

A drawing of the dial face with the inscription set across itIIIIVVIVIIVIIIIXXXIXIIIIIIIIIIIIVVIVIIVIIIA shadow round about my face,The sunny hours of day will trace

Shown across the plate below the hour lines, the way Robert's own printable blank sets it out.

One or two lines, up to 68 characters (63 so far). Longer wordings and verses are possible on some pieces, so ask Robert if yours will not fit.

Or start from one of Robert's own mottoes

He keeps a longer list: A Few Latin Sundial Mottos (PDF).

Robert also prints a blank of this dial face so you can plan the placing yourself: Presentation Dial Blank Inscription Layout (PDF).

Commission the Presentation with this wording

Your wording travels with you to the next step. Nothing is ordered here: the commission page sets out the piece, the size and the wording for Robert to confirm with you.

More photographs

The Presentation sundial set into a rough stone block on grass, the smaller catalogue view of the same photograph.
Catalogue plate
A close view of the larger Presentation dial on a stone pedestal in a garden, showing the particularly ornate brass gnomon with its pierced scrollwork rising from the pale engraved plate, with a dry stone wall and greenery beyond.
Detail
A Presentation dial made in a square format, its pale engraved plate carrying Roman numerals, an inscription along the lower edge and a scrolled brass gnomon, photographed indoors on a dark surface with flowers behind.
Detail
A Presentation dial made in an octagonal format, its weathered brass plate engraved with hour lines and numerals and fitted with a pierced scrolled gnomon, set on a stepped octagonal stone pedestal and photographed indoors against a plain wall.
Detail
A line drawing of the lower half of the Presentation dial face, showing the curved band marked This Space For Your Personal Inscription running below the hour lines and numerals.
Detail

How to order

Delivery
Robert charges £15.00 to deliver a horizontal sundial.
By telephone
Card details are taken by telephone.01952 884057, the workshop01746 783714, the office
By post
Print the order form (PDF) and post it to Sundials, Maw's Craft Centre, Jackfield, Telford, TF8 7LS. Cheques are payable to SUNDIALS.
In person
The workshop and showroom are at Maw's Craft Centre in Jackfield. Please telephone first, to be sure someone is on hand.

Others in this collection

The Umbra upright sundial standing on an octagonal stone pedestal in a garden, a tall black crescent moon holding a small round engraved brass dial with a long brass gnomon rod passing through its centre, with lawn and shrubs behind. Umbra £175 The all-brass Classic sundial resting on the top of a pale stone pedestal, its face engraved with a compass rose, Roman numerals, the Equation of Time scale and the motto SIC VITA DVM FVGIT STARE VIDETVR around the lower rim, with a curled brass gnomon casting a shadow and passion flowers growing behind it. Classic £235 The square Regency brass sundial lying on a pale stone slab, its engraved Roman numerals running around three edges and fine hour lines fanning across the plate, with a plain brass gnomon casting a shadow and two orange gerbera flowers behind it. Regency £200 to £220 The round Jacobean brass sundial seated on a pale stone plinth in a rockery, its slim brass gnomon throwing a shadow across the engraved hour lines and numerals, with yellow chrysanthemums and grasses growing behind. Jacobean £195 to £210

See all horizontal dials