Early German silver rare box pocket sun dial watch Circa 1750
- Kenmerk
- HC0831
- Diameter
- 43 mm
- Estimate
- € 1.500 - 4.500
- Price sold
- € 4.355
Silver cased sundial inscribed with various cities
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A silver case in box form, both sides inscribed with various European, mainly German cities and the corresponding geographical data, hinged, inside a very beautiful sundial and compass.
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Diameter: 43 mm
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Signed: Nicolaus Rugedas
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The important clockmaker family Rugendas in Augsburg made finest sundials already in the 16th century. As the signature is Rugedas, it can be assumed that this watch is a deliberate falsification of the famous name. Nevertheless, the piece is very rare and of fine quality.
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Rugendas family
In his mention of Nicolaus Rugen in his book “Meister der Uhrmacherkunst” (masters of watchmaking), 2nd edition, Wuppertal 2010, Juergen Abeler refers to the renowned Augsburg family Rugendas, makers of watches and compasses: Nicolaus I Rugendas, was born in Melsungen (Hesse) in 1582 and went to Augsburg in 1608; he became a master in 1616 and died in 1658. He was known to be a very capable watch and clockmaker and was also fortunate enough to marry well (1608, Sarah Schmidt). He was registered as master of the guild in 1638/39. Of his nine children, two sons Hans Jakob I and Nicolaus II (born in 1619) were also clockmakers. His son Nicolaus II Rugendas lived as clock maker in Augsburg from 1619 to 1695. His masterpiece was a table clock, which was bought by Archduke Leopold Wilhelm in 1661. Several dozen of mechanical clocks as well as sun- and moon dials by Nicolaus II remain; however, it is not completely clear whether the mechanical clocks may have been created by his father. His son Nicolaus III (1665 -1745) was also a compass- and watchmaker.
Signed: Nicolaus Rugedas























