Scaphe dial for latitudes 37° 39' 15'' North. This instrument comprises a rectangular ivory block into which is set a scaphe dial and a compass. The dial is engraved with 12 declination parallels between the Tropics. Across these are the hour-lines, numbered by Chinese characters. The declination parallels extend outside the bowl of the dial on to the upper surface of the instrument and they are numbered on the sides with the characters for the 24 'qi'. A silvered-brass open pyramidal gnomon is attached to the side of the scaphe cavity. Above the compass are four characters reading 'Gemstone rock's mountain lodge'. The compass has a gold-coloured card with the meridian line marked on it. It has a needle surmounted by a brass pivot and the glass, which is held in place by a copper ring, is smashed. Around the compass is a circle of 24 Chinese characters (the feng-shui [geomantic] compass directions). On the back of the dial is the signature 'Kang Yun' and the date, '1875'.

The origin of this instrument is uncertain. While Chinese characters are used for the compass directions, the hour-lines and the declination parallels marked on the bowl of the scaphe dial, the latitude given for the dial is that of Seoul. A very similar instrument is in the MHS, Oxford (new inventory no. 47409); that one also has a plumb-bob support but the bob itself is missing.

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