Dials of Distinction - Number 15
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This multi-faced sundial near Ironbridge in Shropshire is quite unique and is certainly one of the most unusual and interesting dials to be found in this country. It is located in the grounds of an old manor house (now restored as a modern hotel) which dates back to the 16th century. Abraham Darby, one of the driving forces of the Industrial Revolution, lived here briefly in 1712. It has been assumed that the dial is contemporary with the manor house, but an earlier monastic house existed on this site which could mean that the dial was made some time between 1620 to 1630. The exact date of the dial is not accurately known. Our founding Chairman, Andrew Somerville, wrote a very interesting and detailed article about this dial for the BSS Bulletin in 1989. [Vol. 89.1, pp.9 - 11] He describes the dial thus: "This sundial is a cube of stone, of about 4ft side (1195 by 1190 by 1180mm deep) topped by a hemispherical dome 3ft in diameter by 18in high (920 by 460mm) which is cut from a separate piece of stone cemented to the block. There is a hole on top of the dome which would have held a vertical pin gnomon. The block is oriented true north-south. The North face is blank: no trace of inscription or carving could be found. The top face and dome are also devoid of inscription. The east, west and south faces have hemispherical central hollows 26in in diameter by 12.5in deep (660 by 320mm), surrounded by other hemispheres at the corners, 13.5in (340mm) diameter, though some of these corners, together with parts of these hollows, have been broken off." The dial may well have been painted in bright colours as it was common practice to paint stone dials of this period. Hour lines were painted in black, declination lines in red, Italian hours in blue, Babylonian hours in yellow, with green for unequal or planetary hours. The background for the declination lines would be white, and outside these lines, blue. The photograph that you see here was taken about 10 years ago, some years before the present hotel complex was built. Click here to see a larger image of the dial, click here to see a more general view of the site including the mansion. |
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You can view other 'Dials
of Distinction' entries by following the page links:
Further Information:
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Andrew Somerville's article which contains detailed information about this dial is available from the BSS book store. [Volume 89.1] |
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This dial is also listed in the BSS Register |
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Web Link - Exploring Telford - General information on the Telford area |
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Web Link - The ghosts of Telford - An account of a ghost at Madeley Court |
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Web Link - Streetmap.co.uk - Go to this web site and view a detailed map of the area around this dial |