Sundials by Robert Foster Commission a dial

Horizontal dials

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

Horizontal sundial in all brass

£200 to £220

Commission the RegencyTwo sizes, with weights

The uncluttered lines of the square Regency dial make it a firm favourite with those seeking a stylish design within a historical context. There is ample room for an inscription of your own choosing which is included in the price.

The motto for this dial

Serene I stand amyddst ye flowres
To tell ye passing of y houres

Sizes and weights

Width: 10.5 in. (270mm)£200with no inscription. Approx weight 4.75lbs (2.15kgs)
Width: 10.5 in. (270mm)£220with your personal inscription. Approx weight 4.75lbs (2.15kgs)

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 itIIIIVVIVIIVIIIIXXXIXIIIIIIIIIIIIVVIVIIVIIISerene I stand amyddst ye flowres,To tell ye passing of y houres

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 (65 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: Regency Dial Blank Inscription Layout (PDF).

Commission the Regency 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 square Regency brass sundial on its pale stone slab in front of a rockery, with two orange gerbera flowers behind, as shown on the catalogue page.
Catalogue plate
A Regency square sundial mounted on top of an ornate Venetian pedestal, both finished in green, standing on a gravel path with tall ferns and shrubs growing behind.
In place
A printable line drawing of the square Regency dial face, with hour numerals ranged around three sides and the words Plenty of Space For Your Personal Inscription across the lower half, used to plan where an inscription will sit.
Detail
A line drawing of a Regency dial layout worked up for a herb garden, with the inscription FIND THYME IN THE GARDEN engraved across the foot of the plate below the hour lines.
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.

Letters about the Regency

Written to Robert by the people who bought them. Published without names, as he has always kept them.

Good evening Mr Foster,

We thought you would like to know that the square Regency sundial you made as a wedding present for our son and daughter in law was much appreciated...Thank you for your help and advice in choosing such a wonderful gift.

Regards...

Others in this collection

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 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 £225 to £255 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

See all horizontal dials