What is a brass sextant?

A brass sextant is a generally popular collectible for display on bookcases or mantels at home, and those created in Victorian, Industrial, and mid-century modern styles are sought with frequency. It is a traditional nautical instrument that was first used by sailors over 200 years ago to calculate global position by measuring the position of stars above the horizon. They are often made from brass, metal and wood. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary brass sextants from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.