Portable horizontal dial for latitude 48° North. The dial-plate is oval shaped and there is an hour scale on the obverse side. The gnomon is of simple design and engraved with a leaf patterns; it is hinged, and folds flat when not in use. On the compass, which is surrounded by an engraved border, North and South are marked by French initials. The needle is blued, has an open ring to indicate North, and is surmounted by a brass pyramidal pivot. There is convex glass over all. The dial-plate is supported by the compass bowl, which has a rose engraved on it, and two turned silver legs.

On the reverse side, it is signed 'PHILIPPE DE MEWES . A . PARIS'. Nothing further is known of de Mewes than the existence of this dial. He was probably roughly contemporary with Chapotot, whose horizontal dial (see AST 0298) this one closely resembles.

For more information regarding this dial please refer to the OUP & NMM catalogue, 'Sundials at Greenwich'.