Dave Bell just suggested changing the gnomon to the center finger instead of the index finger for an added message to unwanted visitors. (if you are the reclusive type and hate visitors.)
 
You could also have the hand holding something that has a ball or a point.  Like a fountain pen.  The tip of the pen would be the nodus.  When the hand is just hanging there, it would look like is was drawing the sundial. 
 
Wouldn't a monumental horizontal look neat if it had a giant arm with a sculpted hand with a pointing finger. Are there any sundials that have sculpted hand gnomons I wonder? 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, July 07, 2006 9:33 PM
Subject: RE: Door Knocker Gnomon?

Hi John,
 
 It will not serve as a gnomon but my favourite door knocker is the "Hand of Fatima". Great protection from the evil eye. You see them all over southern Europe, in areas influenced by the Moslems. Mine is a brass casting from southern France. Below is a typical description that Google found. Sorry, no sundial content in this email.
 
Roger Bailey
 
Fatima's Hand Door Knocker 
Associated in Islam with healing powers of Fatima, Prophet's daughter, and therefore regarded as bringing luck. The hand of Fatima (hamsa) is favorite motif for pendants, door knockers, hinges, etc. in Morocco and all Maghreb and Middle East. Such door knocker is believed to guard people and buildings from bad luck.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]On Behalf Of John Carmichael
Sent: July 7, 2006 10:09 AM
To: Sundial List
Subject: Door Knocker Gnomon?

Door Knocker Gnomons
 
Looking at that SGS on Carl's webpage got me thinking.  Has anybody ever seen a vertical sundial on a outside door of a building that has a door knocker that doubles as a gnomon?  I wonder what the best type of gnomon would be?  A cone or a triangular gnomon might stab your visitors in the eyes.
 
How about a ball on a rod? The rod could hang down from a hinge. The ball at the end of the rod would be the door knocker.  I envision a pretty brass sundial bolted to the door with the brass door knocker gnomon hanging down in front of it.  (You could even attach a little handle to the rod and it wouldn't cast obnoxious shadows.)
 
Tony, are you listening?  This sounds like something you could do.
 
John
 
p.s. I didn't see a door knocker on Carl's door SGS.  I guess a doorknocker on stained glass wouldn't be such a great idea!
 
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