A Franz Antoni Knitl mechanically assisted string gnomon dial, Austrian, early 18th century,
signed Franz Antoni Knitl fecit Linz, rectangular brass plate with inset silver compass and folding string gnomon, engraved with rural scene with shepherd and shepherdess with lamb on one side and fountain on the other, centred by an armorial and crown, large pointer arm moving over IIII-XII-VIII hour and minute scale, hinged plum-bob bracket, raised on four levelling screws,
4in x 10in x 7 4/5in (10 1/2cm x 25 1/2cm x 20cm)
Footnotes:
Provenance:
The Family Lustrier, The Tyrol, Austria.
Sotheby's Olympia, London, 28 May 2003, Lot 123.
Private collection.

Franz Antoni Knitle (1671-1744) was a teacher at the School of Engineering in Linz and specialised in making 'Minute Sundials' which could give the time to the nearest minute.

For a similar dial, see catalogue no.34, Hester Higton, Sundials at Greenwich, Oxford University Press, 2002.

Good overall condition.