Hemicyclium
Edition - unique but may be copied for any geographic coordinates
One of my favorite topics is to remind of the great astronomical invention of the past. My approach is not to copy the originals but rather to transform their spirit into the terms of national aesthetics and thus to achieve a much better appreciation of the intricacies of the epoch and country of their origin.
Few months ago I was astonished the perfection and simplicity of the sundial made by Korean scientist Jang Yeong-sil during the Joseon Dynasty. As far as I know, this sundial is kept in National Folk Museum of Korea. Now, according to the approach mentioned above, I have cut out of limestone a sundial and a pedestal which do not certainly look like Korean ones, rather they reveal what I think about medieval Korean art and science when I think about them with great sympathy.
The surfaces of the sundial and the pedestal are decorated with stylized pearls and bamboo and are artificially aged.
Height of the device, 25 cm
Diameter of the device, 39 cm
Total height, 74 cm
Total weight about, 120 Kg
If you buy a sundial as a gift, do not forget, please, to order an anniversary line. At the appointed day the shade on a sundial face will move along a specially calculated line. It may be a birthday, wedding day, or any other day you like.
According to a centuries-old tradition a motto or a dedication is advisable on a sundial face. You may chose a motto from the list or suggest your own one. Mottoes and anniversary lines etched on sundials in stock are free.
The duration of solar day is changeable within a year. Thus the difference between clock and sundial indications may be as high as 15 min depending on the season. You may easy convert solar time into mean time and vice versa using the equation of time table or graph. Usually I make it of brass, copper or stone.
