The Private Collection of Theodor Beyer
Hotel Baur Au Lac, Zurich, Nov 16, 2003
LOT 1
Nicolaus Rugendas, Augspurg, circa 1730. Fine gilt brass and silver portable equinoctial "Augsburg" dial with compass in fitted leather box.
CHF 3,000 - 5,000
EUR 2,000 - 3,300 / USD 2,200 - 3,700
Sold: CHF 5,980
Octagonally shaped, compass in the center, four cardinal points marked in Latin, revolving magnetic declination disc, crescent-shaped hinged Arabic latitude sector calibrated from 20 to 90 degrees, spring-loaded gnomon, folding plummet for leveling, back with silvered plate engraved with latitudes of 43 world cities, three gilt brass turned feet. Signed above the compass "Nicolaus Rugendas, Augspurg". Dim. 60 x 55 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: - |
|
Dial: 3 |
Good |
Notes
The "48" in the signature after the maker's name denotes the latitude of Augsburg. Nicolaus Rugendas III (1665-1745). He came from a family of Augsburg clockmakers active for at least two generations. His grandfather was Nikolaus I (1585-1658); his father Nikolaus II (1619-mid 1690s). Rugendas made clocks, sundials and ring dials. A similar dial by Rugendas is in the Greenwich Museum (inv. D8485).Literature: Maximilian Bobinger, "Alt-Augsburger Kompassmacher", Augsburg: Hans Rösler Verlag, 1966.