A German Augsburg pattern brass portable equinoctial compass sundial Lorenz Grassl, Augsburg, late 18th century The recessed compass centre with radial lines engraved with German annotations for the four cardinal points and locking lever for the blued steel pointer beneath glazed panel within octagonal surround engraved with alternating arched cross-hatched panels and floral motifs on a matted ground, the hinged open hour circle pivoting against folding curved latitude scale and engraved in reverse III-XII-IX with stylised wheatear half hour markers, the centre with pivoted needle gnomen set on a sprung arbor, the underside of the compass with engraved Eleva Poli, Wittenberg 53, Venedig 45 ZeiZ, Edenburg 57, over signature Lor. Grafsl to lower margin, 5cm (2ins) wide. Lorenz Grassl is recorded in Baillie, G. H. Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World as working in Augsburg circa 1700, however the engraved hatched decoration to the plate of the current lot would stylistically suggest a date towards the end of the 18th century.