Universal equinoctial dial for all latitudes. The hour-circle is silvered and hinged to the North side of the dial-plate. A brass strut attached to the hour-circle supports a brass rod gnomon. The latitude arc, divided from the tip [0°]-[90°], is hinged to the East side of the dial-plate. Set into the base-plate, the compass is made of silvered brass. It features a highly decorated four-point rose with the cardinal and quadrantal points named by English initials. It has a thick needle (slightly rusty) surmounted by a brass cylindrical pivot and has an arm to lift it and lock it in position against the glass. There are also two brass bubble levels set into it. A glass plate covers all.

The dial's case, which is not original, takes the form of a large square oak box with two hook fasteners. A paper plate is stuck to the inside of the lid and is engraved with a coat of arms and some names. This instrument is typical of the equinoctial dials produced in London in the early years of the 19th century, which reflected the style of the inclining dials already being produced in that city (see AST0369). The anticlockwise numbering of the hour scale would also allow the instrument to be used in the Southern Hemisphere. The dial is signed 'Dring and Fage, London' on the hour-circle. The company of Dring and Fage was established by John Dring and William Fage in 1790, and was still in business in 1940.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.