Turtle sun dial

Old turtle sun dial found in my yard. My home was built in 1900

What it is

• Object: Small turtle‑form sundial with Roman‑numeral chapter ring and fixed triangular gnomon.
• Material: Appears to be cast iron (uniform rust-brown patina, rough sand‑cast underside; will attract a magnet).
• Size: c. 7" L x 4" W (miniature/desktop scale rather than garden‑pillar scale).
• Construction: One-piece turtle body with a slotted seat for the gnomon; underside shows casting/vent marks and no maker’s plate.

Likely origin & date

• Type: Decorative novelty sundial rather than a precision timekeeper. These were popular mid‑20th century (c. 1940s–1970s) as garden or desk ornaments.
• Probable maker: American foundry production. Several firms made whimsical animal sundials in this era—e.g., Wilton (Columbia, PA), John Wright, Iron Art/Sexton, and Virginia Metalcrafters. Your example lacks the stamped marks those companies usually applied (e.g., “VM” + date, “WILTON,” “JOHN WRIGHT”), which points to unbranded catalog/ironworks output rather than a named maker.
• Why not earlier (Victorian): Earlier 19th‑century turtle sundials tend to be larger, crisper castings with separate, pinned gnomons and/or foundry inscriptions.

Condition

• Overall: Structurally excellent from the photos—no cracks or losses.
• Surface: Stable, even oxidation (desirable patina for cast iron). Minor casting flaws consistent with sand casting.

Value

Values vary by region and season; the following reflects current U.S. secondary‑market prices for unmarked miniature animal sundials:

• Fair‑market value (what it would likely bring at local auction/online marketplace): $30 – $60.
• Retail asking price (antique shop/Dealer): $60 – $100.
• Upside if a maker mark is found: If later inspection reveals a mark for Virginia Metalcrafters or John Wright, expect value to rise into roughly $90 – $150 due to brand following.

Authentication tips (quick checks)

1. Magnet test: Confirms cast iron (should stick strongly).
2. Underside inspection: Look for cast-in/stamped marks such as “VM” + year, “WILTON – COLUMBIA, PA”, “JOHN WRIGHT”, or “Sexton”.
3. Gnomon angle: A fixed angle near your latitude indicates functional intent; very blunt/vertical angles are a sign of purely decorative production (common in mid‑century novelty pieces).

Care & sale suggestions

• Cleaning: Avoid grinding or wire-brushing. Lightly dust, then seal with a thin microcrystalline wax (e.g., Renaissance Wax) to deepen color and slow future oxidation.
• Selling: Photograph outdoors in natural light, include closeups of the dial, gnomon, and underside, and note weight and dimensions. List under “cast iron turtle sundial / novelty desk sundial.”

Do you need a formal appraisal?

A professional, written appraisal usually isn’t necessary unless you discover a maker’s mark tying it to a collectible foundry (especially Virginia Metalcrafters) or if you plan to insure a larger collection. If a mark turns up, I can point you to specialists who issue written valuations.