Brass Sundials

All Brass Bronze Copper Slate Stainless Steel Stone

Enthralling in their beauty and precision, our garden sundials and armillaries make conversation with the heavens, and make sense of time.

A close-up of a bronze armillary sphere sundial shows engraved Latin text and the phrase Time brings truth to light. Sunlight highlights the aged verdigris patina, while blurred green foliage forms the background.

Personalized Inscriptions

Whether you’re buying a classic piece or commissioning a custom one, your David Harber will be unique to you. If you would like to add a personalized inscription, we will work closely with you to make sure you get exactly what you want.

Globe

The globe sundial beautifully depicts the world’s rotation with artful precision.

Vertical Dial

A working timepiece, we make vertical sundials from many different materials, including slate, stone and copper.

Armillary Sphere

David Harber’s interpretation of the traditional armillary sphere is a contemporary statement of classical values.

Our solid brass garden sundials exude a sense of weight and a patina that matures well and darkens with age. A brass sundial will look equally at home in a traditional backyard or a more contemporary outdoor space.

Questions

Periodically wash your solid brass sculpture with warm water and a soft cloth to remove loose debris and dirt. Avoid brushes or harsh, abrasive cleaning fluids that can damage the surface of the polished brass. Dry completely.

All sundials must be positioned in direct sunlight to work. As the sun travels along the Earth’s axis, the shadow created by the gnomon falls on the hour lines etched into a dial plate, or an hour band on an Armillary Sphere, which are like the hands on a clock. This shadow line moves depending on the time of year and the time of day.

Setting a sundial varies depending on the type of sundial you have. All sundials will only work as accurate timepieces if the location for the sundial is exact, and this is measured in latitude and longitude. If you want to find out more about setting a sundial, you may find The Art of Ancient Timekeeping: How to Set a Sundial helpful.

Sundials can be crafted from a variety of metals, from stainless steel to verdigris bronze, and each has a unique attraction and charm. Antique brass sundials are a popular choice for all garden styles. It’s a traditional material with a deep, rich patina that brings a sense of maturity and timelessness into your outdoor space and will work in harmony with other classic garden decor, such as birdbaths. To make your brass armillary sundial a focal point within your backyard, add height by installing the sundial on a plinth or pedestal. Any pedestal bases must be fixed to a flat surface before the date of your sundial installation. David Harber sundials come with full instructions for installation and maintenance.