Armillary Spheres

Armillary Spheres (Globes)

Stephen Holehan Sundials ™


Stephen specialises in creating high quality smaller sized Armillary Spheres , also known as Armillary Sundials or Armillary Globes,  for that special garden space. Every Garden Armillary Sphere is individually made to order ensuring that each one is a unique and extra special time piece, be it for a present to oneself or a most precious of personalised garden gifts to loved ones, friends or colleagues. Each one is an accurately calculated  engraved sundial with your own personalised inscription, anniversary dates or precious thoughts. Prior to engraving every customer will get precise sundial engraving artworks showing how the lettering on the sundial will look thus ensuring the dial you want is the dial you get.

Please note. Stephen has removed some of his products in the lead up to retirement early next year. When materials stock has been used up it will not be replaced. The Virgo and Orion spheres are no longer available, I am also not undertaking any new bespoke one off designs. This has been a really hard decision to make.

UPDATE: 27-09-2024   MY ORDER BOOK IS NOW CLOSED;


UPDATE: 27-11-2024 Business is now closed until further notice


Equation of time plate_Stephen Holehan Sundials
Longitude adjusted EOT plate copyright Stephen Holehan Sundials

Equation of time plates

 Standard & Longitude adjusted Equation of time plate.

Standard Equation of Time plate

£37.50                                       
Greenwich   Time adjustment Plate                   £48.00

Add to your sundial order- not available individually



Dimensions for both plates

140mm wide 80mm tall Supplied with "Faux" Screw heads engraved for adhesive fixing or drilled with included screws.


Standard & Longitude adjusted Equation of time plate. (E.O.T.)

Armillary Spheres are set to show “Local apparent time” This is when it is said to be noon when the sun is directly overhead. ( Its highest point in the sky when directly above the position of the viewer.) Time as it used to be before Greenwich mean time was introduced to standardise time across the country- thus allowing railway timetables to be aggregated. 

The “Greenwich Time adjustment” EOT plate shows the seasonal adjustment of dial slow / dial fast, together with an adjustment for the dial’s position East or West of the Greenwich Meridian. If the dial is correctly aligned to solar noon (local apparent time)  it will then be possible to ascertain correct Greenwich mean time.(Standardised time)
[Within the limitations of reading the edge of the shadow]


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