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

Personalised Inscriptions
Whether you’re buying a classic piece or commissioning a bespoke one, your David Harber will be unique to you. If you would like to add a personalised 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
Quietly marking the passing of time, a Vertical Dial offers dynamism and narrative to any space.

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 English garden 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. Although it’s a traditional material, the aged brass has a deep, rich patina that brings a sense of maturity and timelessness to outdoor spaces, and it will work in harmony with other classic garden ornaments, such as birdbaths or garden statues. To make your brass armillary sundial a focal point within your garden, 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. Free shipping within the United Kingdom is included.
Get in touch
Whether you’ve decided on a piece, or you just want to sound out any aspect of our work, then please do get in touch.