Early 18th Century Scrimshaw Sundial Attributed To Thomas Tuttell

~ Early 18th Century Scrimshaw Sundial Attributed To Thomas Tuttell ~

The sundial is made has a brass surround with an ivory plate to the top. It has a wooden underside and with a central cartouche depicting a coat of arms. The dial is positioned in the upper part and has a concentric retrograde hour section with Roman numerals and a carved, triangular gnomon. The face of the dial is also engraved a crown and a single decker man of war on choppy seas. It is attributed to Thomas Tuttell as it is very similar in style to his other known works of this nature. A very similar Scrimshaw sundial by Thomas Tuttell resides in the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. More of his work is exhibited in the British Museum and in the Science Museum, both in London.

*** Please note this will only be sold after CERTES/DEFRA have issued the appropriate certificatefor exempted items  ***

~ Thomas Tuttell ~

Thomas Tuttell (1674-1702) learned the trade of tool making from Henry Wynne (1640-1709) in London. He became a freeman of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1695 and specialized in mathematical tools. Tuttell traded under the name Kings Arms & Globe in Charing Cross in London and his business did very well; he advertised as “His Majesty’s Mathematical Instrument Maker & Hydrographer”. On February 3 in 1702 the London paper “Post Boy” reported the tragic death of Thomas Tuttell, who drowned while carrying out coastal survey work.

~ Condition ~

There is a chip on one side of the sundials upper arm, otherwise it is in very good order.

~ Dimensions ~

The dial is 13.5 cm (5.25 inches) long by 7 cm (2.75 inches) wide and 6.5 cm (2.5 inches) tall.

#10059