1733 Colonial Sundial Found and Restored

SC Keith

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Aug 25, 2010
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Relic Hunting
I found this sundial, the earliest in the Carolinas, last year. It is one of the earliest from southern colonial America. When I found the piece it had been bent and damaged so I sent it to an expert in restoring metal objects.
It has been the best find of my relic hunting career. I hope to get some detailed info from people who know about sundials.
Thanks for looking! Keith sundial perspective.jpgface1.jpgname coord date rose.jpgface2.jpg
 

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Upvote 48
Wow, that came out really nice. Great find and nice to see you put in the time and effort to restore it to its original state!
 

Very nice ! I cant wait to see it in person.
 

Wicked cool! Do you know who "Walter Lane" was? Is it the name of the manufacturer?
 

Here's one that is reminiscent of yours... 100 years older that sold at Christies while ago... don't know price.

Just in case your interested.

d3872694x.jpg
 

Here's one that is reminiscent of yours... 100 years older that sold at Christies while ago... don't know price.

Just in case your interested. Thanks for providing this example. I have seen quite a few older than mine, but only two older than mine from southern colonial America.






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Wicked cool! Do you know who "Walter Lane" was? Is it the name of the manufacturer?
I dont know if he is the maker or the person this piece was made for. I will begin to send images to individuals that may have some facts on this dial.
 

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That is an amazing find as well as restoration!
 

SC Keith,
Thanks for re-posting the pic of that amazing find. When you originally posted it in june(?) 2018, I had just recently joined tnet and didn't even know how to vote for a banner find - until I saw this piece. Your picture of this sundial was one of the major reasons why I continued on tnet. Among the hundreds of great finds, including the gold coins I've seen here, this one artifact remains my very favorite.
 

SC Keith,
Thanks for re-posting the pic of that amazing find. When you originally posted it in june(?) 2018, I had just recently joined tnet and didn't even know how to vote for a banner find - until I saw this piece. Your picture of this sundial was one of the major reasons why I continued on tnet. Among the hundreds of great finds, including the gold coins I've seen here, this one artifact remains my very favorite.
Megalodon,
I reallly appreaciate your nice comments. I am in the process of showing image to nationally recognized individuals on early time keeping instruments. I will post any interesting comments which I hope to recieve back.
Thanks again for posting and I wish you success in your treasure hunting adventures!!
Keith
 

The restoration looks great Keith, too bad we can't nominate it back onto the banner!
Too bad you couldn't find the other piece (that casts the shadow)
 

Museum quality relic, amazing
 

The restoration looks great Keith, too bad we can't nominate it back onto the banner!
Too bad you couldn't find the other piece (that casts the shadow)[/QUOTE
Thanks Steve! I do have the broken vane called a gnomon, which was still on piece as found. the restorer took it off and sent it back with the dial. Someone was unkind to this dial in the 1700s. LOL!!
 

What an amazing find, and the restoration came off beautifully!
 

Keith,
That is perhaps one of the nicest relics I’ve ever seen here. Awesome restoration work!
 

Beautiful relic. Congratulations and HH!
 

Outstanding find and restoration!
 

SC Keith, you knocked it out of the ball park with the Colonial Sundial. The restoration to this piece turned out amazing. Congratulations to you on one Fantastic relic and piece of our History. This would make a great center piece for any collection. I know you are proud of this once in a lifetime find.:notworthy::icon_thumleft::usflag:
 

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