Nocturnal and universal equinoctial dial for latitude 0°-90° North. This is a standard metal nocturnal except for a few details:-

There is no suspension ring and it is for use with the Little Bear. The main disc is marked with months and zodiac symbols and the rotatable disc has an hour scale with an index pointer. The reverse side comprises the universal equinoctial dial, the compass and the lunar volvelle. The main plate carries two scales: one for hours and one for the age of the moon. The rotatable disc carries an hour scale and has a circular aperture to allow a pictorial representation of the moon's phase. A latitude quadrant is set within the hinge of the hour-circle, perpendicular to the dial-plate. A pivoted strut across its East-West diameter supports a replacement rod gnomon. The compass is set on the instrument's handle. The cardinal points are marked by Latin initials and it is covered by a brass lid with a central handle when not in use. All the unused surfaces on the dial are engraved with images of fruit in baskets, cornucopiae, etc. The initials on the handle, 'I.F.', could be those of either the maker or the original owner. The form of the sundial, with a latitude quadrant passing through the hour-circle is unusual. Nocturnals combined with sundials most often have a horizontal dial on the reverse side. The universal equinoctial dial on this instrument, however, allows it to be used more widely. The highly decorative style of engraving is typical of French work.