Hour-glass

A four-fold glass with 15-, 30-, 45- and 60-minute glasses. The glasses are filled with different shades of beige sand. The centre joints are bound over with twine, underneath which is printed paper with a Gothic script. The stand is made from beaten brass. There are 9 decorative supports (originally 10) made from thin flat brass cut out to resemble columns. The stand is decorated with moulded brass in shell and foliate patterns. There is a hinged lid enabling the glasses to be turned individually, which is aattached to the stand with hooks. There is a mount on the back which allows the glasses to be hung on a wall. A piece of decorative edging is missing from the right hand side of the stand.

Object Details

ID: AST0066
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Hour-glass
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: 17C
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 295 mm x 205 mm x 60 mm