Rectangular wooden dial consisting of two leaves that fold together when not in use. Leaf Ia features an equinoctial dial and a lunar volvelle. At the head of leaf Ib are four Chinese characters in red reading 'Secret of the Sun', underneath which is a table for sunrise and sunset, also giving the directions of sunrise and sunset at different times of the year. Leaf IIa displays the horizontal dial with a compass set into the centre. The hour scale is numbered in Chinese and the markings around the compass give the 24 directions of the feng-shui (geomantic) compass.

The 13 holes down the sides of the dial are for setting the latitude and a red string gnomon is attached between the inner surfaces of the two leaves. Leaf IIb carries a detailed explanation of the use of the instrument in Chinese characters. It further says that 'Fang Xiu-Shui of the town of Xiu-Li, in the province of Xin-An, directs and produces sundials and moon-dials, according to the old method'. The brass pin in the end of the upper leaf is for use with the equinoctial dial/lunar volvelle.

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