Remarkable & rare late 1700s to earliest 1800s Louis XV or Georgian era bronze or brass compass with folding figural sun dial or "gnomon" and in the original gilt embossed travel or presentation case! From what I understand, the sundial needs a compass to find true north. Raising the triangular gnomon (figural sun dial type portion) upright while pointing the compass needle North will show the time. The correct time will show only if the local latitude corresponds to angle of gnomon. The compass is a dry compass with bronze and silvered bronze dial and is in fabulous condition, as you can see in the images. I see no maker marks on it. One for the collector surely and, if any of you experts out there have any further information, we'd love to know more. Thanks!
Very good condition. Everything appears to be working, there's even a small switch on the side of the bronze case that locks the compass needle in place. Some visible wear to the silvering on the center dial. The case is also near pristine. I photographed it and then realized that I had a few of those little clasp hooks so I replaced the missing one (that's why you'll see one clasp in some images and two in another). See pictures for all measurements.
