This compass and sundial is handcrafted in solid brass. Collapsible dial and adjustable legs. Lacquered finish. Hard-wood box is brass-inlaid and felt-lined.
4"l. x 4"w. 2.5"dia.
Museum Provenance
Similar to instruments in our National Museum of Natural History.
Every Smithsonian purchase will arrive with a museum provenance card explaining how it is adapted from or inspired by an object or objects in our collection.
I bought this as a gift for my husband. The box by itself would have been a wonderful gift. The craftsmanship is beautiful. The compass is just as amazing and well crafted.
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
1/31/2011
(3 of 5 customers found this review helpful)
1.0
Looks Better on the Page
By Discerning Mom
from Washington State
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Cons
Embarrasing
Flimsy
No instructions
Best Uses
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
I would be embarrassed to give this as a gift and to display it in my home.
I Am A:
Single Female
12/30/2010
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
4.0
Beautiful item
By Gift shopper
from Seattle
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Cons
Best Uses
Gifts
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
No instructions included so I only rated 4 stars. Once you study it for a bit you can determine how it works. Lovely presentation.
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
12/28/2010
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Perfect Gift
By Distinguished Buyer
from Illinois
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Cons
Best Uses
Desk Top
Gifts
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
I gave this item as a birthday gift to a man who has everything. He loved it and is very pleased with it. It is a bit smaller than what I anticipated, but overall, very pleased with the purchase!
I Am A:
Single Female
12/25/2010
(0 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
1.0
Poor Quality in Brass Sundial & Compass
By Charlie
from MADISON WI
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Cons
Flimsy
Best Uses
Gifts
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
The compass needle is off the pivot. I would like you to replace this with one that is properly made.
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
10/23/2010
5.0
High quality
By Linda Crystal
from Tulsa
About Me Budget Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Durable
Cons
Best Uses
Gifts
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
A gift for my husband, which he very much likes. Well made, good quality. Even the box is nicely made.
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
9/28/2010
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Unique Beautiful Functional
By Yhetti
from Albuquerque, NM
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Durable
Looks Like An Antique
Cons
Best Uses
Collectible Work Of Art
Gifts
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
It is unusual to find something that is both beautiful but also functional.
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
8/26/2010
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
Collectors Item
By XXXXXXXX
from Alabama
About Me High-end Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Durable
Easy To Assemble
Cons
Best Uses
Gifts
Living Room
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
I put it in the Curio Cabinet in the Living Room
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
7/21/2010
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
2.0
Impressive desk toy
By GC
from The Woodlands, TX
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Cons
No instructions
Best Uses
Pretty desk toy
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
The shadow of the gnomon cannot be made out on the bright brass dial, which makes it unusable as a timepiece,at least during daylight hours. But I really didn't expect it to function as anything more than a desk ornament, and it fulfills that role quite satisfactorily.
I Am A:
Family Older Kids
7/13/2010
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
5.0
a truly unique compass
By Dee
from Point of Rocks, MD
About Me Midrange Shopper
Pros
Attractive Design
Durable
Easy To Assemble
Cons
Best Uses
Gifts
Living Room
Comments about Brass Sundial and Compass:
product was bought as a gift for a collector of 'old' and unusual items. He was thrilled with it!