Armillary Sundials
Antique Late 19th Century Sundials
Steel, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Sundials
Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Sundials
Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Sundials
Stone, Metal, Copper
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Sundials
Brass, Copper
Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Sundials
Steel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Garden Ornaments
Iron
2010s Indian Sundials
Aluminum, Brass
Late 20th Century American French Provincial Garden Ornaments
Iron
Late 20th Century American Country Garden Ornaments
Iron
Vintage 1940s European Art Deco Sundials
Copper, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1980s Neoclassical Sundials
Concrete, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century Swedish Garden Ornaments
Metal
Antique 19th Century English Georgian Sundials
Sandstone, Steel
Vintage 1960s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Sundials
Metal
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sundials
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sundials
Brass
People Also Browsed
Mid-20th Century British Rococo Patio and Garden Furniture
Composition
Antique 19th Century Garden Ornaments
Iron
Vintage 1930s European Garden Ornaments
Lava
Antique Early 1900s American Art Nouveau Architectural Elements
Bronze
20th Century English Scientific Instruments
Stone, Iron
Antique Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Bed Coronas
Wood, Giltwood
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Doors and Gates
Antique Late 19th Century European Moorish Architectural Elements
Wrought Iron
Antique Early 19th Century French Charles X Architectural Elements
Stone, Copper
Antique 1890s Aesthetic Movement Garden Ornaments
Iron
Vintage 1940s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Chestnut
20th Century English Urns
Stone
Antique 19th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables
Cast Stone
Antique 1730s European Baroque Beds and Bed Frames
Paint
Antique 19th Century Italian Belle Époque Fountains
Marble
20th Century French Napoleon III Architectural Elements
Stone
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century Swedish Neoclassical Sundials
Copper, Iron
Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Sundials
Copper, Iron
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Sundials
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Antique 19th Century English Garden Ornaments
Marble, Copper, Bronze, Iron
Antique 19th Century Italian Sundials
Antique Mid-18th Century English George II Sundials
Vintage 1910s French Sundials
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern Sundials
Vintage 1930s Unknown Classical Roman Sundials
Iron
Italian Sundials
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Sundials
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Sundials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1940s Neoclassical Sundials
Cast Stone, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Limestone, Iron
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Garden Ornaments
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Limestone, Iron
Antique Late 19th Century English Victorian Garden Ornaments
Stone, Steel
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Sundials
Metal
20th Century Garden Ornaments
Metal
2010s Italian Sundials
Limestone, Wrought Iron
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sundials
Early 20th Century European Sundials
Metal
Antique 19th Century British Sundials
Composition, Iron, Copper
Antique 17th Century Sundials
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century English Sundials
Antique 19th Century English Sundials
Antique 19th Century French Sundials
Wrought Iron
20th Century Rustic Sundials
Wrought Iron
Early 20th Century American Sundials
20th Century French Sundials
Brass, Copper, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Danish Sundials
Metal, Copper
Vintage 1920s French Sundials
Cast Stone, Iron
Vintage 1980s Philippine Sundials
Stone, Iron
Early 20th Century Swedish Sundials
Limestone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Sundials
Metal, Copper
Mid-20th Century Danish Sundials
Stone, Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Sundials
Metal
Antique 1890s English Renaissance Revival Sundials
Metal
Mid-20th Century Danish Sundials
Metal, Copper
Mid-20th Century French Edwardian Garden Ornaments
Copper, Wrought Iron
Antique Early 1900s French Scientific Instruments
Copper, Iron
Antique 18th Century European Balustrades and Fixtures
Limestone
Early 20th Century English Neoclassical Sundials
Stone, Limestone, Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century Sundials
Stone, Steel
2010s Indian Sundials
Aluminum, Brass
Late 20th Century American Neoclassical Garden Ornaments
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Limestone, Iron
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Stone, Limestone, Metal, Iron
Antique Early 1900s Swedish Neoclassical Sundials
Iron, Copper
Antique 19th Century European Classical Roman Sundials
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Sundials
Stone, Cast Stone, Iron
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Sundials
Carrara Marble, Steel
Late 20th Century Dutch Sundials
Steel, Gold Leaf
Vintage 1940s Finnish Sundials
Metal, Copper
Antique 17th Century Sundials
Brass, Bronze
Early 20th Century Danish Sundials
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Sundials
Limestone, Metal, Iron
Vintage 1950s Swedish Sundials
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Danish Sundials
Stone
Armillary Sundials For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much are Armillary Sundials?
Finding the Right Sundials for You
Although typically decorative, antique and vintage sundials transport a guest in your home to a different era, their simple function a tether to the ancient world.
Humans have tracked time since the dawn of civilization. Before the invention of precise mechanical clocks, various materials including water and incense were used to mark the passage of time. The sundial was one of the earliest of these timekeeping devices.
The oldest known sundial dates back to 1,500 B.C. in Egypt. The very first sundials were simple stone blocks with markings and a vertical needle of wood or metal to indicate the hours with its shadow. Later Greek sundials had a gnomon parallel to the axis of the Earth. Some flat sundials from the Islamic world were directional objects for pointing the way to Mecca.
Mechanical clocks use a series of gears and springs to track time precisely; sundials rely on light and shadow. As sunlight crosses over a sundial, it casts a shadow that moves across the face of the dial as the Earth rotates.
There are now more accurate, easier and probably cooler ways to tell time, yet the sundial persists. It is not uncommon to find flat stone sundials among an assemblage of decorative elements in colorful gardens and standing sundials in expertly appointed outdoor spaces.
While garden sundials are among the most popular sundials today, sundials made of metal, stone, bronze and more can be found on 1stDibs to match any taste or setting. The collection also includes sundials of Scandinavian, British and North American origins.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To use an armillary sundial, first place the sundial on the base without securing it. Then use a compass to find true north, and point the gnomon in that direction. Shop a collection of armillary sundials from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022To make your very own armillary sundial, first, take two hoops and mark 90 degrees apart on each hoop. Then, glue the two hoops together at the marked points. Lock in a straight piece of wood between the two, set your device at 45 degrees and voila! Or, save the hassle and shop a selection of collectable armillary sundials on 1stDibs.
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