A George III sterling silver mounted compass, London 1812,...
A George III sterling silver mounted compass, London 1812, no makers mark
Of circular form, with watch case suspension, the black and white dial signed ‘Berge London’. Glazed. Marked to the reverse.
Diameter – 5.1 cm / 2 inches
Jesse Ramsden was one of the greatest scientific instrument makers of the eighteenth century. His workshop was the largest in London. He invented the first accurate dividing engine and devised and improved many instruments. When he died in 1800 he left his workshop and his dividing engine to his foreman Matthew Berge in his will. The instruments under construction in the workshop at his death were all signed “Berge late Ramsden. Subsequently all instruments made in the workshop were signed simply “Berge London”. He worked from 199 Piccadilly from the death of Jesse Ramsden until 1817.
A similar example marked for London 1795 sold Woolley and Wallis, 25 Jan 2011, Lot 77 (£220 hammer)
and one of London 1825 by Richard Sibley, sold Woolley and Wallis, 17 July 2018, Lot 518 (£220 hammer)
A brass compass with the same dial signed Berge London was sold Bonham’s Knowle, 18 May 2010, Lot 123, (£420 incl. premium)
Sold for £280
Includes Buyer's Premium
Sale price
Time, Location
Auction House
A George III sterling silver mounted compass, London 1812, no makers mark
Of circular form, with watch case suspension, the black and white dial signed ‘Berge London’. Glazed. Marked to the reverse.
Diameter – 5.1 cm / 2 inches
Jesse Ramsden was one of the greatest scientific instrument makers of the eighteenth century. His workshop was the largest in London. He invented the first accurate dividing engine and devised and improved many instruments. When he died in 1800 he left his workshop and his dividing engine to his foreman Matthew Berge in his will. The instruments under construction in the workshop at his death were all signed “Berge late Ramsden. Subsequently all instruments made in the workshop were signed simply “Berge London”. He worked from 199 Piccadilly from the death of Jesse Ramsden until 1817.
A similar example marked for London 1795 sold Woolley and Wallis, 25 Jan 2011, Lot 77 (£220 hammer)
and one of London 1825 by Richard Sibley, sold Woolley and Wallis, 17 July 2018, Lot 518 (£220 hammer)
A brass compass with the same dial signed Berge London was sold Bonham’s Knowle, 18 May 2010, Lot 123, (£420 incl. premium)
Sold for £280
Includes Buyer's Premium
