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Antique Magnetic Compass

Nautical Brass Magnetic Compass with Original Box by E. Vion Paris, Early 1900
Nautical Brass Magnetic Compass with Original Box by E. Vion Paris, Early 1900

Nautical Brass Magnetic Compass with Original Box by E. Vion Paris, Early 1900

Located in Milan, IT

Antique and rare magnetic surveying compass, brass with original wooden box, signed E. Vion Paris

Category

Early 20th Century French Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

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

movements, designed to shield the compass from the magnetic influences of the ship's structure. Even with

Category

Early 20th Century English Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880
Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880

Antique Surveyor's Circumcompendium Signed Brand Frères, 1850-1880

Located in Bilzen, BE

. This fine example of Belgian precision craftsmanship features: A large magnetic compass with finely

Category

Mid-19th Century Belgian Other Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Mechanical Equatorial Sundial by Johann Michael Bergauer, Gilded Brass
Mechanical Equatorial Sundial by Johann Michael Bergauer, Gilded Brass

Mechanical Equatorial Sundial by Johann Michael Bergauer, Gilded Brass

By Johann Michael Bergauer

Located in Milano, IT

is octagonal and is supported by three turned legs. The upper face is gilded and a compass with a

Category

1730s Austrian Baroque Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Large Silver Butterfield Dial French Early 18th Century
Large Silver Butterfield Dial French Early 18th Century

Large Silver Butterfield Dial French Early 18th Century

By Butterfield Paris

Located in Firenze, IT

magnetic compass with engraved rose, the reverse engraved with twenty five European cities and latitudes

Category

Early 18th Century French Louis XIV Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Silver

Early 19th Century English Inclining Sundial by William Hawks Grice London
Early 19th Century English Inclining Sundial by William Hawks Grice London

Early 19th Century English Inclining Sundial by William Hawks Grice London

Located in Firenze, IT

brass plate containing a magnetic compass with degree scale engraved on a silvered plate. The hour ring

Category

Early 19th Century British Georgian Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Magnetic Compass for Topographers Made of Brass
Magnetic Compass for Topographers Made of Brass

Magnetic Compass for Topographers Made of Brass

By Peigné

Located in Milan, IT

Rare and particular ancient magnetic compass for topographers, made of brass; instrument consisting

Category

1870s French Antique Magnetic Compass

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century
Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

Dry magnetic compass placed in its original wooden case green painted, compass card with eight

Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Wood

1900s Sestrel  Antique Nautical Magnetic Compass in its Original Wooden Box
1900s Sestrel  Antique Nautical Magnetic Compass in its Original Wooden Box

1900s Sestrel Antique Nautical Magnetic Compass in its Original Wooden Box

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic compass on universal joint in its original wooden box with slot lid, signed Sestrel in the

Category

Early 1900s British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Magnetic Compass Signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel, Early 20th Century
Magnetic Compass Signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel, Early 20th Century

Magnetic Compass Signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel, Early 20th Century

Located in Milan, IT

Hand magnetic bearing compass, signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel n. 4359 Made in England, made

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps

Located in Milan, IT

Vintage nautical bearing magnetic compass, pocket made of brass, signed Cruchon & Emons Berne n

Category

1910s Swiss Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Binnacle for Lifeboat, 1920s
Brass Binnacle for Lifeboat, 1920s

Brass Binnacle for Lifeboat, 1920s

Sold

H 10.24 in Dm 9.85 in

Brass Binnacle for Lifeboat, 1920s

Located in Milan, IT

Liquid compass mounted on universal joint made in 1920s. It's a magnetic compass with gimbals

Category

1920s Antique Magnetic Compass

English Compass Ship's log, 40's, teak and brass, 19th century compass. XIX
English Compass Ship's log, 40's, teak and brass, 19th century compass. XIX

English Compass Ship's log, 40's, teak and brass, 19th century compass. XIX

By Ainsley South Shields

Located in Valladolid, ES

brass following the model created by Lionel Corp in 1943 for the US Navy. Inside it presents a magnetic

Category

1880s English Arts and Crafts Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Bronze, Iron

19th Century Antique Oakwood Magnetic Surveyng Compass English Manufacture
19th Century Antique Oakwood Magnetic Surveyng Compass English Manufacture

19th Century Antique Oakwood Magnetic Surveyng Compass English Manufacture

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic surveying compass, oakwood with brass hinges and closing hooks, instrument consisting of a

Category

1870s British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

1920s Antique Brass Magnetic Pocket Compass Antique Nautical Objects
1920s Antique Brass Magnetic Pocket Compass Antique Nautical Objects

1920s Antique Brass Magnetic Pocket Compass Antique Nautical Objects

Located in Milan, IT

Brass nautical pocket compass, equipped with a lid with glass and viewfinder for checking the

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Magnetic Hand Bearing Compass Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel London 1900s
Magnetic Hand Bearing Compass Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel London 1900s

Magnetic Hand Bearing Compass Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel London 1900s

Located in Milan, IT

Compass by hand magnetic sensing, signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel No. 9890/b Made in England, Barking & London from the early 1900s. Height cm 23- inches 9, compass diamete...

Category

Early 1900s Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass
Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass

Sold

H 0.79 in Dm 2.09 in

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass

Located in Milan, IT

sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle. Complete with compass card lock. Very good

Category

1910s Swiss Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass
Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass

Sold

H 0.79 in Dm 2.09 in

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass

Located in Milan, IT

sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle. Complete with compass card lock. Very good

Category

1910s Swiss Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918
Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918

Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918

Sold

H 0.79 in Dm 2.09 in L 0.79 in

Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918

Located in Milan, IT

by the magnetic needle. Complete with compass card lock. Very good condition, fully functional

Category

1910s British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Oak Compass German Manufacture of the Late 19th Century
Oak Compass German Manufacture of the Late 19th Century

Oak Compass German Manufacture of the Late 19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic topographic compass, of oak and brass; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free

Category

1880s German Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Topographic Compass Placed in Its Original Walnut Box
Brass Topographic Compass Placed in Its Original Walnut Box

Brass Topographic Compass Placed in Its Original Walnut Box

By Stoppani

Located in Milan, IT

on a horizontal plane, marking with its point the direction of the magnetic north, compass card with

Category

1910s Swiss Antique Magnetic Compass

Chromed Brass Compass English Manufacture of the Early 1900s
Chromed Brass Compass English Manufacture of the Early 1900s

Chromed Brass Compass English Manufacture of the Early 1900s

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic chromed brass compass with a wide chain with hook, English manufacture of the early 1900s

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Magnetic Compass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps

Located in Milan, IT

Rare magnetic nautical survey compass, brass, Cruchon & Emons Berne Swiss n. 55929 made in 1918 for

Category

1910s Swiss Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1915 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1915 for U.S. Engineer Corps

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1915 for U.S. Engineer Corps

Located in Milan, IT

Rare magnetic nautical survey compass, brass, Cruchon & Emons Berne Swiss n. n. 54826 made in 1915

Category

1910s Swiss Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Sestrel Compass Late 19th Century, Brass and Wood Support base made of Brass
Sestrel Compass Late 19th Century, Brass and Wood Support base made of Brass

Sestrel Compass Late 19th Century, Brass and Wood Support base made of Brass

By Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel

Located in Milan, IT

Hand-held magnetic bearing compass, signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel Made in England, late

Category

1880s British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

End 19th Century  Antique Brass Nautical Magnetic Compass on a Mahogany Board
End 19th Century  Antique Brass Nautical Magnetic Compass on a Mahogany Board

End 19th Century Antique Brass Nautical Magnetic Compass on a Mahogany Board

Located in Milan, IT

Brass and glass compass on universal joint from the end of the 19th century. Mounted on custom made

Category

1890s British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Nautical themed Desk Compendium Industrial rotating Globe Clock
Nautical themed Desk Compendium Industrial rotating Globe Clock

Nautical themed Desk Compendium Industrial rotating Globe Clock

Located in London, GB

sides of case a thermometer set into an anchor with aneroid barometer and small magnetic compass. 8 day

Category

1880s French Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Onyx, Bronze

Metal Carved Bone Feng Shui Luopan
Metal Carved Bone Feng Shui Luopan

Metal Carved Bone Feng Shui Luopan

Sold

H 2 in W 5.13 in D 5.13 in

Metal Carved Bone Feng Shui Luopan

Located in Guaynabo, PR

part that has a metal chain used to carry it. The Luopan is a traditional magnetic compass used in the

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Bone

1917s British Aviation Officers Antique Magnetic Brass Pocket Compass
1917s British Aviation Officers Antique Magnetic Brass Pocket Compass

1917s British Aviation Officers Antique Magnetic Brass Pocket Compass

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass used by British aviation officers of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch

Category

1910s Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

1900s Brass Pocket Magnetic Vintage Compass Magnapole  Antique Nautical Objects
1900s Brass Pocket Magnetic Vintage Compass Magnapole  Antique Nautical Objects

1900s Brass Pocket Magnetic Vintage Compass Magnapole Antique Nautical Objects

Located in Milan, IT

away from magnetic fields to check the ship's heading. The compass is complete with protractor circle

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

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Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

$229,142Sale Price|33% Off

H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in

Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward

By Henry Ward

Located in Amsterdam, NL

England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...

Category

Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Other

Large brass nautical compass  signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
Large brass nautical compass  signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s

Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s

Located in Milan, IT

Large brass liquid compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam from the 1930s. Eight-twenty rose complete with goniometric circle. Compass diameter cm 21.5 - 8.5 in, height cm 10.5 - 4.1 in...

Category

1930s Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique English Naval Cannon
Pair of Antique English Naval Cannon

Pair of Antique English Naval Cannon

$177,751 / set

H 22.5 in W 27 in D 48 in

Pair of Antique English Naval Cannon

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

Pair of antique English naval cannon each with a tapering three stage barrel flanked by plain trunnions, with a knob shaped cascabel button before a shaped rectangular raised vent an...

Category

Early 1800s English Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Bronze

Brass nautical compass  signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA 1920
Brass nautical compass  signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA 1920

Brass nautical compass signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA 1920

Located in Milan, IT

Nautical compass on gimbal signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA 1920s, mounted on custom-made walnut and brass board. Eight-twenty rose complete with protractor circle. The com...

Category

1920s Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd   Sestrel  1942.
Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd   Sestrel  1942.

Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel 1942.

Located in Milan, IT

Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel 1942, Barking & London 1942. Good condition, slight abrasion on compass rose. The compass is mounted on eboni...

Category

1940s Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

Nautical survey magnetic compass signed Elliott Bros London late 1800s
Nautical survey magnetic compass signed Elliott Bros London late 1800s

Nautical survey magnetic compass signed Elliott Bros London late 1800s

Located in Milan, IT

Rare magnetic nautical surveying compass, brass, late 19th century signed Elliott Bros London complete with leather case. This is a small compass, 7 cm diameter, typically used in re...

Category

Late 19th Century Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

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 in the period Victorian style. The compass case is composed of solid brass with a me...

Category

Late 19th Century Scottish Victorian Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Metal, Brass

Nautical compass on cardan joint signed La Filotecnica Milano from the early 1900s
Nautical compass on cardan joint signed La Filotecnica Milano from the early 1900s

Nautical compass on cardan joint signed La Filotecnica Milano from the early 1900s

Located in Milan, IT

Nautical compass on gimbal made by Filotecnica Milano of the early 1900s. The compass consists of a copper and glass vessel; at the bottom, a metal stem is attached to which rests t...

Category

1910s Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Copper

England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument
England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument

England Early 1900 Brass Galvanometer Antique Physic Measuring Instrument

By Philip Harris Ltd.

Located in Milan, IT

Moving coil brass galvanometer with three-screw base, instrument signed Philip Harris Ltd Birmingham England n. 19402, made in the early 1900, a tool used as a detector of direct cur...

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Magnetic Compass

Materials

Brass

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Antique Magnetic Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the antique magnetic compass you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each antique magnetic compass for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using brass, metal and wood. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect antique magnetic compass — we have versions that date back to the 19th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. E. Vion Paris and Peigné each produced at least one beautiful antique magnetic compass that is worth considering.

Finding the Right Collectibles-curiosities for You

Antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities can bring whimsy and wonder to any interior. 

Decorating with old scientific instruments, historical memorabilia and vintage musical instruments, as well as other authentic collectibles and curiosities that can be found on 1stDibs, presents an opportunity to create a unique, natural history museum-like atmosphere in your home that can provoke conversation as often as it pays tribute to how far we’ve come in understanding our world. 

And bringing collectibles and curiosities into your space is actually on trend — Wunderkammern, or curiosity cabinets, were all the rage in Europe during the 1500s and continued to have adherents there and in the U.S. in the following centuries. Today, however, they’re experiencing a real surge in popularity and influencing how many interior designers are furnishing and decorating homes — combining contemporary with antique, scientific with tribal, earthly with extraterrestrial, Les Lalanne tables with Flemish tapestries.

The original Wunderkammern were entire rooms filled with objects demonstrating their owners’ worldly knowledge: A proper one included artificiala or preciosa (objets d’art); naturalia (such as skeletons, shells, minerals); exotica (taxidermy or dried plants); and scientifica (scientific instruments), frequently alongside religious relics and ancient artifacts.

Pay tribute to a history of rich and diverse musical traditions that have taken shape all over the world by decorating your home with a collection of antique and vintage musical instruments — with a little help from strong hanging wire or some wall hooks, vintage brass instruments such as a gong, French horn or trumpet can help elevate a home office or complement the efforts you’ve made to ensure a welcoming vibe in your home’s entryway. Bells or antique wind instruments can add provocative metallic contrasts to dark woods as tabletop decorative objects.  

Create an intriguing focal point with Georgian scientific instruments, such as stick barometers with mahogany cases or lacquered brass telescopes. These items stem from an era named for the monarchies of the four King Georges, who ruled England in succession starting in 1714 (plus King William’s reign, which lasted until 1837). Just as there was beautiful jewelry produced during the period that today is coveted by collectors, there is much to be found in the collectibles and curiosities realm too.

Wanderlust, nostalgia and a shared love of good design are contributing factors to certain trends in decorating — just as vintage trunks and luggage have reappeared as furniture or home accents in a bedroom or foyer, decorating with globes, maps or nautical objects is similarly rooted in the allure of travel and a penchant for the stylish finishing touch that collectibles bring to our homes.

Find a wide range of antique and vintage collectibles and curiosities on 1stDibs.

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