Armillary and polyhedral dial for latitudes 0°-90°. A turned wooden stand (not contemporary) supports a vertical brass plate with a central slot through which the meridian ring is free to turn in order to make adjustments for the latitude. The equinoctial ring is set at right angles to the meridian ring. Held within these rings is a thick circular band marked by hour-lines and with degree scales along each of the Tropics and along the Equator. The meridian ring acts as the gnomon. In the centre of the instrument, two further meridian and equinoctial rings are suspended on an axis, which also goes through the centre of a small brass globe.

A horizontal ring with an outer octagonal edge is set around the outside of the meridian and equinoctial rings. This carries the ecliptic ring. Beneath it is an octagonal band whose eight faces are each inscribed in Latin with their respective compass point. Each face has an hour-scale and some sort of engraved image, such as of flowers or birds. Shaped brass polar gnomons appear on the North, North-East, South-West and North-West dials, but the others are missing.

This is a very unusual form of multiple dial; the octagonal band carries dials more commonly seen on cubic polyhedral dials. The shadow of the meridian ring on the circular band gives the time as on a standard spherical dial. The set of rings at the centre of the instrument create a simplified armillary sphere. The hour scale of the South-facing dial gives a base latitude of 47° North - that of central France.

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