Pizarro Compass

Quadrants with a compass, introduced in the 15th century, were the first portable sundials. The compass served to face the quadrant towards the north and the gnomon (a bit of cord or a flexible triangle) could be raised or lowered to accommodate the latitude where the compass is used.

Their diversity of shapes, materials and decorations was vast and this is an example. The golden age of sundials lasted from the 15th to the end of the 18th century.