Portable horizontal dial for latitude 48° North. The dial consists of an ivory octagonal dial-plate with a hinged silver gnomon. All the markings are in black. The dial-plate is split down the meridian line from the gnomon base to the edge. On the obverse side is a partially decorated hour scale, while on the reverse side there is floral and foliate decoration. The compass has a fleur-de-lys for North, a central flower, a blued needle with an arrow fletching for South and is surmounted by a brass pyramidal pivot. The glass plate is held in place by a twisted metal band.

French ivory sundials most often come from Dieppe, and it is possible that this one did, particularly since the decoration on the back is similar to that on Dieppe dials. A similar dial in the MHS, Oxford (new inventory no. 46998) is signed 'Jean Bloud a Dieppe' which supports the attribution of Dieppe as the origin for this dial.

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