Hour-glass

A two-fold hour-glass, with one glass timing 30 minutes and one timing 60 minutes. It is filled with ochre coloured sand. The central joints are made from leather bound over with gold wire. The brass stand has ten wire supports. Where the glass touches the stand, there is an ornate brass surround. The bases are engraved with slightly different designs: one has a floral design and a sacred heart pierced by a dagger, while the other has a floral design and a sacred heart enclosed by thorns. The design of the stand is similar to AST0052, AST0053, AST0054, AST0056, AST0072 and AST0075.

Object Details

ID: AST0055
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Hour-glass
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: 18th century
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 120 x 122 x 56 mm