A mahogany and brass waywiser signed M Berge, London, circa 1810

A similar waywiser sold The W.J. Shepherd Collection of Treen, Sotheby's London, 30 November 1983, lot 159.

Waywisers were implements for measuring distances. Typically as with the present lot they were fitted with an upside down dial so that the user could view it. The clock had two hands actuated by a rudimentary mechanism connected to the wheel which registered the distance covered on the dial. The calibrations on the dials were normally engraved with two concentric rings, divided into yards, poles, chains, furlongs and miles. It is likely that the present example was intended for estate measuring as opposed to setting up milestones on roads which required more durable construction materials such as elm or oak. Waywisers were also known as hodometers, odometers or perambulators. The latter being the most appropriate, as from the 16th century or earlier the term denoted a ceremonial walk round a forest, manor, parish or holding for the purpose of recording boundaries.  One of the earliest references to a waywiser was recorded in John Evelyn's Diary, on August 6, 1657.

`I went to see Co. Blount, who shewed me the application of the way-wiser to a coach, exactly measuring the miles, and shewing them by an index as we went on. It had 3 circles, one pointing to ye number of rods, another to ye miles, by 10 to 1000, with all the subdivisions of quarters; very pretty and useful' (see Edward H. Pinto, Treen and Other Wooden Bygones, 1969, pp. 275-276, pl. 290.