The 18th Century Sundial-Compass, Small is antique science and history captured in vintage-style aged brass. It has been given a beautiful aged finish in hand buffed duotone. This is the perfect gift for lovers of nautical, scientific or technological history.Before the widespread use of clocks and watches, people lived by sundial time. Every village and town functioned on local time, depending on local latitude. The arrival of trains and mail coach traffic created a need for coordinated time. The travel sundial needed a compass to find north. Raising the triangular gnomon (the part which casts the shadow) upright while pointing the compass needle North will show the time. The correct time will show only if the local latitude corresponds to the angle of gnomon.