SAINT MARTIN . OMANVILLE-la-PETIT . CONTENTIN
An attractive vertical dial, accurately angled, with Arabic numerals. Semi-circle perimeter and round top gnomon stay. There’s a slight jeux d’ésprit feel to the gnomon. There was no sun on the dial when we visited: I wondered how well it would work in practice.
GSS Category: Vertical Dial; Church Sundial France; Ornamental Gnomon
All photos: Keith Salvesen
SUNDIAL
The oblong dial is located high up on the south side of the Basilica. Its modern design contrasts notably with its setting. I can imagine some debate over modern versus traditional styles. It was installed in 2020; a caption refers to renovation.
The dial’s height and size makes it very visible. John Renner, who took these photos, suggests convincingly that there must always have been a dial of some sort there, I’d have thought, to be visible to the friars from their cloister and help them say their hours on time. I have now managed to locate a photo taken from the cloister of an earlier dial with a much simpler day-marker. Probably it replaced an even earlier one.
The details of the new dial include 4 signs of the Zodiac; 2 midday roman numerals; 1/2 hours marked with pale arrowed lines; and a fairly traditional motto. The most interesting feature is the gnomon, which is tilted for accuracy and looks adjustable. As the photos clearly show, the sun’s rays are focused through a small hole onto the dial face – here, at exactly 9.30 am.
See HERE for the Scaphe Dial in the Padua Botanical Gardens (one of 3 dials there)
GSS Category: Modern Dial; Vertical Dial; Dials in Italy
All photos: John Renner, with thanks as always; Expedia for the old dial
GAUDIUM SUB SOLE . SUNDIALS . MEDIEVAL TO MODERN 