Pocket sundial signed JVG, Vogler, Johann Georg (1720-1765) (clockmaker)

Pocket sundial signed JVG is held by City Museum Berlin (Germany), attributed to Vogler, Johann Georg (1720-1765) (clockmaker). Description supplied by the holding institution: Octagonal equatorial sundial by Johann Georg Vogler, who was born in Augsburg in 1720 and died there on 27 March 1765.

Married on 9 May 1745. Brother of Andreas Vogler, who took over his workshop in 1766 and was extremely productive. More than 130 instruments have been documented in collections and museums. The instrument is equipped with a compass and a small plumb bob. Florally engraved, fire-gilded. The compass on a silvered base with compass rose. Iron magnetic needle with blued arrowhead and tail. Three small leveling feet allow for precisely horizontal placement, aided by the plumb bob.

Engraved on the back are the elevations (pole heights) for Gorsü, Lion, Bozen, Osen, Ingolstadt, Landau, Prag, Dresden, Warschau, Riga. And the signature J.G.V. Bordered by an engraved band, all inlaid with engraving putty. The instructions for use printed on paper, at the bottom Johann Georg Vogler refers to himself as Compass-Macher in Augsburg. On the reverse the data for 160 cities and their pole heights. The collection record gives measurements folded (HxWxD): 1.5 x 7.1 x 7.1 cm; instructions for use (HxW): 17.5 x 12.6 cm; set up (HxWxD): 7.3 x 6.5 x 8.2 cm; format: Glass (Material/Technique); Arts and crafts techniques (Material/Technique); Metal (Material/Technique); engraved….

Published through Europeana; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.