A faithful reproduction of a Winterthur original

Henry Francis du Pont, who could have chosen any garden ornament he wished, selected a dramatic sundial crafted from architectural bronze as the focal point of a garden designed for him in 1955 by his good chum Marian Coffin, a distinguished landscape architect.

For the past 25 years, Winterthur has been licensing products inspired by the American Country Estate and library established by H.F., as he was affectionately known, at his palatial home in the lovely Delaware countryside north of Wilmington.

One is the armillary sundial that brightened H.F.'s garden. Priced at $4,500, the sundial is made by Downingtown, Pa.-based Heritage Metalworks Ltd. and stands 50 inches tall and weighs 60 pounds. (Photo courtesy of Winterthur, Jim Schneck.)

The likeness is so meticulous that Winterthur chose a Heritage reproduction to replace the original piece, which had been damaged in a storm.

You can learn more about du Pont's extraordinary collection of original American furniture, art, metalwork and textiles by visiting http://www.winterthur.org/. Or go see the goodies in person. Collections include the Campbell Soup Co. tureens, as well as a special exhibit of quilts. For details on the sundial, go to http://www.heritage-metalworks.com/.