Boston  

Sundial: 1073
State/Province:  Massachusetts Country:  USA
Dial Type:  Sculpture/Artwork Condition:  Excellent
  Latitude and Longitude: 42° 21.833' N  71° 03.200' W
Location:
  • North Square, Boston across from the Paul Revere House, on the Freedom Trail.

    This sculpture is one of four bronze sculptures on granite bases located in a circular area in North Square.
 
Description:
  • The sundial is at the base of a larger sculpture, "Fantastical Historical Nautical Instrument" which includes many references to maritime history, navigation, and time keeping. The cast bronze dial plate is 7 inches (18 cm) in diameter, given a dark patina. The dial has what appears to be correctly delineated to tell local solar time. Roman numerals show between the hour marks and time is marked at 5-minute intervals. At center is a compass rose with 16 points of labelled directions. At the south end of the dial is a graphical equation of time. The gnomon is only partially correct with the majority distorted into an upright support for the fantastical nautical instruments and telescope representations above it. A portion of the gnomon may tell time during the hours around noon, but then the dial is overwhelmed by shadows not of its own. Treat this as part of a sculpture and enjoy the art.
 
General Information:Inscription:
  • Owner: City of Boston
  • The style is inscribed with the Latitude and Longitude and the words, "North Square ~ Solar Time."
  • Designer: A+J Art+Design (Somerville, MA)
  • Builder: A+J Art+Design, bronze cast by Green Foundry (Eliot, Maine)
  • Construction Date: Installed Sep. 23, 2019
 

Last Revised: 2022-09-21 17:45