Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this piece to the 1800s.
Comprised of a mahogany base with square brass plate supporting an exquisitely engraved and silvered dial compass with compass lock to the front and each corner engraved with latitudes for London, Paris, Lisbon, Glasgow, Dublin, Exeter, Moscow and Oxford. The engraved hour plate bears the maker’s name of “T. Rubergall. Optician to his Royal Highness Duke of Clarence, 27 Coventry Street, London”, and is hinged to the base enabling it to be angled at various latitudes set against the scale on the secondary arm to the side.
The lid of the case is fitted in order to incorporate the dial and is covered with green baise for further protection.
The maker Thomas Rubergall was active from 1802 until 1854 in London and traded from three different addresses throughout those 52 years. Princes St, Soho from 1802 to 1805, 27 Coventry Street from 1805 to 1823 and then thereafter to number 24 Coventry Street. Rubergall seems to have been from Huguenot French descent and may be related to earlier well known Chelsea market gardeners of the eighteenth century with the same name. He was renowned enough to have been appointed optician to George III and mathematical instrument maker and optician to the Duke of Clarence (later William IV) and to Queen Victoria.
The site of the Rubergall’s shop was situated between Piccadilly and Leicester Square.
A superbly executed instrument from one of the most prominent scientific instrument retailers of the first half of the nineteenth century. The dating of this instrument can be reduced to an eighteen year period between 1805 & 1823 which relates to the dates that Rubergall trade from the 27 Coventry Street address.
A super quality instrument by a fantastic maker.
Circa 1810.
Jason Clarke Antiques has dated this piece to the 1800s.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jason Clarke Antiques Profile Page
George III Pocket Inclining Sundial by Thomas Rubergall of London
