An English patinated brass octagonal sundial Bearing

An English patinated brass octagonal sundial Bearing initials I.R.M. and date 1700 but probably earlier The 6 inch octagonal plate fitted with scroll decorated angled gnomon set at 52 degrees and engraved with circle, radial lines and bearing inscribed initials I.R.M. to centre, the narrow outer track with Roman numeral chapters IIII-XII-VIII divided into quarter-hours and bearing date 1700 between IIII and VIII, the angles drilled for fixing. The octagonal shape, centre engraving and narrow chapter ring of the current lot is similar to that of two related sundials by William Bowyer and Richard Hinton illustrated and discussed in White, George NOT A BAD TIMEKEEPER: THE ENGLISH LANTERN CLOCK IN THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY (Antiquarian Horology Vol. 31 Sept. 2009 pages 624-8). As White suggests that these examples were made by clockmakers to be supplied alongside lantern clocks then it would perhaps be reasonable to suggest that the current lot was also possibly made by a clockmaker for the same purpose. The rear of the plate has some neat hammering behind the engraved initials and date suggesting that earlier engraving was removed prior to the current text being executed. This, combined with the stylistic similarities with the Bowyer and Hinton dials, would support the possibility that the current lot may well date from the first half of the 17th century.