Code BA19102401: Georgian Long-Neck Silver Compass by BERGE, Hallmarked London 1812
| This is a rare Georgian Long-Neck open-face Silver compass dating from 1812 and made by BERGE, LONDON. "Matthew Berge (Unknown - 1819) was a English mathematical instrument maker and optician. Traded at 199 Piccadilly, London, former foreman to Jesse Ramsden, scientific instrument maker, for upwards of 30 yrs; after Ramsden's death in 1800 he completed all the major unfinished instruments and continued trading on the premises." (source: https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/people/cp42821/matthew-berge). The case is sterling silver with London 1812 silver hallmarks on the back. The silver case is still in excellent condition without any dings or dents. The bow has a very nice design typically used in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The same design was used on pocket watches of this era as well. The compass has a porcelain dial signed BERGE LONDON. It is numbered every 10 degrees and graduated in degrees. Between North and East, the numbers go from 0 to 90, than from 90 to 0 between East and South. The same pattern is repeated between South and West, and between West and North. This is the most detailed dial for precision, ever seen on a compass. This kind of compass is highly precise and several examples were used by the military for this reason. The porcelain dial is free of chips or hairlines. The transit lock can be activated by sliding a small lever under the long neck. The dial is covered with its original glass crystal free of chips and scratches. The compass is precise and find North easily. This is a very rare compass measuring 51mm in diameter and 73mm from bottom to bow. |
SOLD
