December 2018
Page 30

A Oculus Dial for Northern Latitudes: Simple Interactive Bowl and Strap Dials in Pottery

Describes creating miniature equatorial ‘oculus’ or ‘finger’ dials in pottery, inspired by ancient spherical dials. These interactive dials are read by blocking the sun hole with a finger to align the light spot on the vertical datum line, suitable for educational use.
Construction Projects, Dials: Portable, Dials: Scaphe, Dials: Unusual

Malcolm Bishop

March 2015
Page 45

Semper Novus, Semper Idem: Two Slotted-Gnomon ‘Conservatory’ or ‘Parlour’ Pottery Dials

An article detailing the construction of two prototype horizontal pottery dials using a tent-shaped hollow gnomon with a slot. The design is inspired by the rare 18th-century Langlois dial, using a traversing light strip for time measurement during obscured hours and for seasonal indication relative to a fixed datum point. The dials are deemed successful, despite the material's crudity.
Construction Projects, DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Horizontal, Dials: Unusual

Malcolm Bishop

December 2015
Page 27

‘Langlois Slot’ Time Frog and Time Toad

Describes the creation of pottery time-keepers shaped like a frog and a toad. These novel, hollow pieces incorporate a ‘Langlois Slot’ or bridge to mark the equinoxes, measuring the passing of approximately two hours on a rough scale.
DIY Sundial Projects, Dials: Unusual

Malcolm Bishop

March 2012
Page 30

Gillot and Fragonard: two eighteenth century French artists’ conceptions of ball sundials

This article discusses two 18th-century French artworks depicting ball sundials: Claude Gillot’s etching for a fable and Jean-Honoré Fragonard’s painting "Rêverie." It argues that while artistically unrealistic, these dials serve a narrative purpose by precisely indicating time to convey moral or emotional messages within their respective contexts.
Dials: Hemispherical, Historical Dials, Sundial Design & Layout

Malcolm Bishop

June 2011
Page 54

The Great Amwell Scottish Renaissance Obelisk Dial Boss. Part 1. Reading a Scottish renaissance sundial boss

This article describes the discovery and analysis of a 17th-century Scottish polyhedral sundial boss found in Hertfordshire. It establishes the boss's authenticity, its Mylne family provenance, and uses geometric analysis and inscriptions (Acra, Tangier) to date it before 1684, suggesting it's a significant missing link.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials, Mathematics of Dialling

Malcolm Bishop

September 2011
Page 24

The Great Amwell Scottish Renaissance Obelisk Dial Boss. Part 2: The Facet record

This article, the second part of an examination of the Great Amwell Scottish Renaissance Obelisk Dial Boss, details the archaeological record and incised marks found on its planar and scaphe dial facets. It identifies ten types of marks, including hour lines, solstice/equinox lines, numerals, and place names, discussing the sophisticated design and stonecutting, and determining an optimum latitude of around 55.5° N.
Dials: Multi Faced, Historical Dials

Malcolm Bishop