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A rare 16th century gold sundial and compass ring, possibly German,

This lot has been removed from the website, please contact customer services for more information

Lot 17
A rare 16th century gold sundial and compass ring,
possibly German, circa 1570

Sold for £ 10,800 (US$ 15,037) inc. premium

Fine Jewellery

28 Sep 2006, 11:00 BST

London, New Bond Street

A rare 16th century gold sundial and compass ring, possibly German, circa 1570
The hinged oval bezel designed as a seal and engraved with a coat of arms, opening to reveal a sundial and compass, on a plain gold hoop, dimensions of bezel 1.8x2.0cm., ring size V

Footnotes

  • The Renaissance interest in scientific discovery and the natural sciences was reflected in rings incorporating compasses and sundials. By the 16th century miniature timepieces of a more sophisticated nature were being manufactured, usually in Augsburg. This particular ring is illustrated in The Ring from Antiquity to the Twentieth Century, Ward, Cherry, Gere, Cartlidge, London, 1981, page 102, plate 213. The accompanying catalogue entry states that the seal of arms is that of the Von Steiger family and that an impression from the seal on this ring can be found on a document signed by Johannes Steiger, Baron de Rolle (1518-81), now in the Bernese Staatsarchiv, dated 26 December 1571. The ring may also be recognised as that worn by his son, in a portrait dating from the early 17th century. It is also observed that as this ring is less elaborate than other princely time-keeping rings, the interest in scientific discovery was not confined to the great courts of Europe.
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Auction information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.

Buyers' Obligations

ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.

If you have any complaints or questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest customer services team.

Buyers' Premium and Charges

For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:

Buyer's Premium Rates
27.5% on the first £10,000 of the hammer price;
25% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £10,000 up to and including £450,000;
20% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £450,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.

VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.

Payment Notices

For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.

Shipping Notices

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