Sandstone Sundial

Design and Construction

The sundial is constructed from sandstone and features a circular face. The design incorporates a central sun motif, which acts as a decorative element and houses the attachment points for the gnomon. Radiating from this center are engraved lines and numerals that delineate the passage of time according to the sun's position.

The object is specifically noted for being composed of two separate pieces. The physical integrity of the piece is maintained by these two segments, which are joined to form the complete circular dial, exhibiting a horizontal line across the center where the components meet.

The dial surface bears faint inscriptions, including the word 'ANNO' near the top edge, suggesting it once contained a full date or motto. The depth of 3.5 cm indicates a relatively shallow profile, which allowed it to sit flush or near-flush with the façade of the structure it adorned.

Architectural Provenance

This sundial was originally part of a larger architectural complex, specifically identified as a garden pavilion under inventory number BK-BFR-403. Its inclusion in the facade of this structure suggests that the object served both a functional role in measuring time and an aesthetic role as part of the building's exterior ornamentation.

The Rijksmuseum acquired the piece in 1919, preserving it as an individual component of the broader pavilion structure. While the pavilion itself is documented separately, this specific sundial remains the primary focus of the BK-BFR-403-1 classification. The link between the sundial and the sculptor Ignatius van Logteren is maintained within the museum records, providing an attribution to the artist working in Amsterdam during the mid-18th century.

Attribution and Dating

The sundial is attributed to the sculptor Ignatius van Logteren, a figure associated with artistic production in Amsterdam. The date of circa 1735 is assigned to the object, placing it within the mid-18th century.

As the attribution is suggested rather than confirmed by original documentation, it remains an expert opinion held by the museum. The dating similarly represents a historical estimate rather than a definitive manufacturing date inscribed on the dial itself. These identifiers are subject to ongoing review should further evidence from the pavilion's history emerge in future research.

The identification as 'BK-BFR-403-1' allows for the systematic tracking of the object within the museum's collection. By cataloguing the sundial separately from the pavilion (BK-BFR-403), the museum preserves the provenance of this specific horological tool while maintaining the context of the structure to which it was once permanently affixed.