Universal equinoctial dial for latitudes 0°-90° North. The hour ring is hinged to the North side of the dial-plate. It consists of a thin ring with a band set inside it. A strut across the East-West diameter of the ring supports the rod gnomon and the outer rim has an engraved hand against the latitude scale to act as an index for the latitude. Hinged to the West side of the dial-plate and engraved on its outer side, the brass latitude arc is divided from tip [0°]-90°. The plumb bob is elaborately shaped and has a pierced support. It is hinged to the South side of the dial-plate and holds a turned brass plumb bob.

Set into the dial-plate, the compass has cardinal points named in Latin initials. A central rotatable disc, marked with an engraved arrow, can be adjusted to allow for magnetic variation. The dial has a case in the form of a square red vellum covered box with red hessian lining and two brass hook fasteners. It is decorated on the lid with a border of flowers and marked on the underside 'M Goldschmidt'.

The style of this instrument is similar to that of the Augsburg dials which began to be produced in Southern Germany around the date of this dial. The rotatable disc marked for magnetic variation, which allows adjustment of the instrument to show the variation of the place where it is being used, makes this dial a truly universal instrument for northern latitudes.

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