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Antique maritime navy compass
Antique maritime navy compass

Antique maritime navy compass

Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK

Antique maritime navy compass in very nice original condition.

Category

19th Century European Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Skylight Yacht Binnacle Compass
Skylight Yacht Binnacle Compass

Skylight Yacht Binnacle Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Beautiful solid brass yacht binnacle from John Bliss of New York with gimbaled compass mounted to a

Category

Early 1800s Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Yachting Binnacle Compass Circa 1920
Yachting Binnacle Compass Circa 1920

Yachting Binnacle Compass Circa 1920

Located in Norwell, MA

chandlers located at South Street Seaport in New York. With gimballed compass from E.S. Ritchie Boston

Category

1920s North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

19th Century Boxed Ships Compass
19th Century Boxed Ships Compass

19th Century Boxed Ships Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

19th century ships compass set into a dovetailed box with sliding lid. Brass bowl compass with

Category

1890s Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Rare Yacht Binnacle with Compass
Rare Yacht Binnacle with Compass

Rare Yacht Binnacle with Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Solid brass gimballed boat compass fitted to a hinge front wood binnacle. Brasses include carry

Category

1920s American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Exquisite Boat Binnacle with Compass
Exquisite Boat Binnacle with Compass

Exquisite Boat Binnacle with Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Solid brass yacht compass fitted to a very fine varnished binnacle box with brass hinges and glass

Category

1890s American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass
Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Nineteenth-century yacht binnacle with a dry card compass in a wood bowl. The compass has been tilt

Category

1860s North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

19th Century Indian Brass Qibla Compass
19th Century Indian Brass Qibla Compass

19th Century Indian Brass Qibla Compass

Located in Stamford, CT

19th Century Indian etched brass Qibla compass. The compass with brass needle and glass cover

Category

Late 19th Century Indian Anglo-Indian Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Rare American Yacht Binnacle Compass
Rare American Yacht Binnacle Compass

Rare American Yacht Binnacle Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Absolutely awesome yacht binnacle by New York maker T.S & J.D Negus of New York. Varnished base with intricate rope carving. The brass binnacle carries 2 oil lanterns, Iron compensat...

Category

Early 1900s North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam
19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam

19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique ships compass with interesting Dutch lettering. Spun brass bowl with gimbal. Fitted to a

Category

1880s European Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill
19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

Located in Norwell, MA

19th century compass by Robert Merrill, dry compass card mounted to timber box on a gimbal. Sliding

Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Victorian French Carriage Clock with Compass
Victorian French Carriage Clock with Compass

Victorian French Carriage Clock with Compass

Located in Norwich, GB

platform escapement. A compass is mounted on the top with bevelled glass, silvered dial and locking lever

Category

19th Century French Victorian Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Victorian Swivel Compass Necklace, Studio VL
Victorian Swivel Compass Necklace, Studio VL

Victorian Swivel Compass Necklace, Studio VL

Located in New York, NY

Victorian Swivel Compass Necklace, Original gold filled mesh link chain is matched to a lovely

Category

1880s American Victorian Antique Compasses

Materials

Gold-filled

19th Century, Compass and Sundial Together
19th Century, Compass and Sundial Together

19th Century, Compass and Sundial Together

Located in Miami, FL

19th century, compass and sundial together.

Category

Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Compasses

Materials

Wood

19th Century Compass and Sundial Together
19th Century Compass and Sundial Together

19th Century Compass and Sundial Together

Located in Miami, FL

19th century compass and sundial together.

Category

Late 19th Century French Baroque Antique Compasses

Materials

Wood

Nineteenth Century Ship's Compass by Robert Merrill
Nineteenth Century Ship's Compass by Robert Merrill

Nineteenth Century Ship's Compass by Robert Merrill

Located in Norwell, MA

Fine antique ship's compass by Robert Merrill of New York. Brass bowl on gimbal fitted to a

Category

1860s North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Victorian Sterling Silver Travelling Clock or Compass
Victorian Sterling Silver Travelling Clock or Compass

Victorian Sterling Silver Travelling Clock or Compass

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

clock or compass; an addition to our silver timepiece collection. This exceptional antique Victorian

Category

1890s English Victorian Antique Compasses

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century
Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century

Boat Binnacle Compass from the 19th Century

Located in Norwell, MA

Rare yacht binnacle with a highly polished gimballed compass fitted to a varnished box. The box has

Category

1890s North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Antique Miniature Specimen Marble or Hard Stone Compass
Antique Miniature Specimen Marble or Hard Stone Compass

Antique Miniature Specimen Marble or Hard Stone Compass

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine miniature antique compass. Set in a matrix of specimen gemstones and hardstones. The

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Antique Compasses

Materials

Onyx, Tiger's Eye, Jasper

Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris
Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris

Antique Yacht Or Boat Binnacle Compass by Polaris

By Polaris

Located in Norwell, MA

Boat compass in binnacle with hinged lid, sidelight, brass hook, etc. Very fine condition

Category

1890s American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Fine Shaped Burl Tabletop with Compass Star Inlay
Fine Shaped Burl Tabletop with Compass Star Inlay

Fine Shaped Burl Tabletop with Compass Star Inlay

Located in Greenwich, CT

sides with mahogany and sycamore compass star inlay, the whole possessing very good, rich patination.

Category

1830s English William IV Antique Compasses

Materials

Yew

Mariner's Compass Quilt with Swag and Bow Border
Mariner's Compass Quilt with Swag and Bow Border

Mariner's Compass Quilt with Swag and Bow Border

Located in Darnestown, MD

Elegant version of the always desirable Mariner's Compass quilt pattern. It is an extremely

Category

19th Century American Antique Compasses

Materials

Cotton

English Ship's Binnacle Compass of Brass with Side Burner Light
English Ship's Binnacle Compass of Brass with Side Burner Light

English Ship's Binnacle Compass of Brass with Side Burner Light

Located in Austin, TX

A fine English ship's binnacle compass of brass - a navigational instrument used for maritime

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Compasses

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box
Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box

Antique Brass Scottish Surveyor's Compass in Fitted Wooden Box

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This antique surveyor's compass originates from Scotland and dates to approximately 1880 and made

Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Compasses

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Roman Bronze Rare Architects Geometrical Compass/Divider 3.AD
Antique Roman Bronze Rare Architects Geometrical Compass/Divider 3.AD

Antique Roman Bronze Rare Architects Geometrical Compass/Divider 3.AD

Located in Doha, QA

Extremely rare and one of a kind ancient Roman bronze geometrical compass/divider. It is in an

Category

15th Century and Earlier Italian Classical Roman Antique Compasses

Materials

Stone, Bronze

Antique English Victorian Nautical Brass Ship Binnacle Compass Table Lamp
Antique English Victorian Nautical Brass Ship Binnacle Compass Table Lamp

Antique English Victorian Nautical Brass Ship Binnacle Compass Table Lamp

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique English Victorian Nautical Brass Ship Binnacle Compass Table Lamp on Wooden Base. Circa

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Victorian Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Located in Norwich, GB

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie Nautical compass mounted by a brass gimbal into a

Category

1910s Antique Compasses

Materials

Copper

Pair of 19th Century Cruchley Terrestrial Library Globes with Compasses
Pair of 19th Century Cruchley Terrestrial Library Globes with Compasses

Pair of 19th Century Cruchley Terrestrial Library Globes with Compasses

By G.F. Cruchley

Located in Dallas, TX

A handsome set of collectable Mid 19th Century library Globes with compasses on castors. Created by

Category

Mid-19th Century British Antique Compasses

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

By E.S. Ritchie & Co

Located in Norwich, GB

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie Nautical compass mounted by a brass gimbal into

Category

Early 1900s Antique Compasses

Materials

Copper

E.S. Ritchie & Söns Boston Brass Compass on Teak Socket
E.S. Ritchie & Söns Boston Brass Compass on Teak Socket

E.S. Ritchie & Söns Boston Brass Compass on Teak Socket

Located in Vienna, AT

box for compass, included. Measures: H. 106 cm. Ø. 31 cm. Good original condition.

Category

1920s American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston
19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston

19th Century Wood Bowl Ship's Compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston

Located in Norwell, MA

Early nineteenth-century wood bowl ship's compass by Samuel Thaxter & Son of 125 State Street

Category

1850s North American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

W. Hartmann Antique Oak & Copper Ships Binnacle Nautical Maritime Compass
W. Hartmann Antique Oak & Copper Ships Binnacle Nautical Maritime Compass

W. Hartmann Antique Oak & Copper Ships Binnacle Nautical Maritime Compass

By A. Lietz Co.

Located in Dayton, OH

viewing window.. The compass is by A. Lietz Co of San Francisco. The firm incorporated in 1892. It was

Category

Late 19th Century Late Victorian Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass, Copper

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass
Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Yacht binnacle of a very unique and rare design. With Italian compass on gimbals. Mushroom style

Category

1880s Italian Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

18th c American Mahogany Dome Top Secretary with Compass Star Inlay
18th c American Mahogany Dome Top Secretary with Compass Star Inlay

18th c American Mahogany Dome Top Secretary with Compass Star Inlay

Located in Milford, NH

lower case are decorated with compass star inlay on the doors, batwing brasses, and decorative brass

Category

18th Century American Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Danish Baroque Writing Cabinet With Nautical Compass Decor, Circa 1740's
Danish Baroque Writing Cabinet With Nautical Compass Decor, Circa 1740's

Danish Baroque Writing Cabinet With Nautical Compass Decor, Circa 1740's

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

the interior cabinet panels has the a four-pointed star decor, representing the compass that keeps us

Category

Early 18th Century Danish Baroque Antique Compasses

Materials

Iron

Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass
Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass

Antique "Le Jockey Club" 1930's Horse Racing Binoculars with Compass

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

wear but the binoculars are totally functioning and include an integral compass on the front stem

Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass

Sundial with Compass and Case, Bronze, Bion, Nicholas, Paris, 18th Century
Sundial with Compass and Case, Bronze, Bion, Nicholas, Paris, 18th Century

Sundial with Compass and Case, Bronze, Bion, Nicholas, Paris, 18th Century

By Nicholas Bion

Located in Madrid, ES

Sundial with compass and case. Bronze. BION, Nicholas. Paris, 18th century. Polygonal sundial

Category

18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Compasses

Materials

Bronze, Other

Antique J.C Ulmer Co. Survey Transit & Compass In Original Mahogany Box
Antique J.C Ulmer Co. Survey Transit & Compass In Original Mahogany Box

Antique J.C Ulmer Co. Survey Transit & Compass In Original Mahogany Box

Located in New York, NY

Brass and steel survey transit and compass in the original mahogany box. Made by J.C Ulmer Co. Good

Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Antique Compasses

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique Map of Japan with Scale and Compass Rose, c.1730
Antique Map of Japan with Scale and Compass Rose, c.1730

Antique Map of Japan with Scale and Compass Rose, c.1730

Located in Langweer, NL

Japan. With scale and compass rose. This map originates from 'Hedendaegsche historie, of tegenwoordige

Category

18th Century Antique Compasses

Materials

Paper

Rare Silver Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield, Paris, circa 1700
Rare Silver Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield, Paris, circa 1700

Rare Silver Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield, Paris, circa 1700

By Butterfield Paris

Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

A beautiful, rare solid silver Anglo-French octagonal pocket sundial with compass by Michael

Category

Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Compasses

Materials

Silver

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Antique Compasses For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antique compasses is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, brass and wood, all antique compasses available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of antique compasses available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Folk Art and Georgian antique compasses are consistently popular styles. Many antique compasses are appealing in their simplicity, but Lawrence and Mayo, Ceebynite Short & Mason Taylor and E. Koehn Geneve Suisse produced popular antique compasses that are worth a look.

How Much are Antique Compasses?

Prices for antique compasses can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique compasses begin at $150 and can go as high as $65,000, while the average can fetch as much as $853.
Questions About Antique Compasses
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Antique compasses work with the use of magnets. Compasses use a magnetized needle that can rotate to line up with the Earth’s magnetic field, pointing towards the magnetic north. The basic concept of how compasses work has not changed over several centuries and magnetic compasses continue to work well today. Shop a variety of antique compasses on 1stDibs.