A rare Archibald Knox bronze sundial gnomon or pointer

The Peartree Collection is delighted to have this sundial pointer / gnomon by Archibald Knox.  This gnomon is one of two known and is a product of ‘The Sunnyside Workshops’, Victoria Road, Douglas. This was set up in 1905 by Wilson James Ashburner, a close friend and patron of Knox, ‘to rival in artistic productions the famous workshops controlled by the late Mr. William Morris’.

To quote a contemporary newspaper report – ‘Mr. Ashburner is himself an accomplished craftsman and no mean designer, and he is aided in his efforts to revive art in wood and metal work by the designs of Mr. Archibald Knox and the exquisite workmanship of Mr. Joseph Cannell’.

Hence the monograms on the gnomon are ‘AK’ – Archibald Knox, ‘JC’ – Joseph Cannell and ‘WJA’ – Wilson James Ashburner. Documentation related to the other known gnomon suggests it was cast by William Knox, Archie’s older brother who ran the family business.

Starting from 12th October to 13th January at the Manx Museum Douglas, Isle of Man, is a new Knox exhibition, “Archibald Knox – Artist, Designer and Teacher”. Some of his best silver, jewellery, clocks, watercolours and illustrations will be on display. Loan items from The Peartree Collection will include this rare Knox piece.

Maker: The Sunnyside Workshop

Designer: Archibald Knox

Date: 1905

Marks: See images

Material: Bronze

Condition: Very good, see description

Size: 24cm across base, 20cm high

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance