Antique Pocket Compass
1910s English Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Metal, Brass
1910s British Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
19th Century British Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Gilt Metal
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Nickel
1910s British Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
18th Century French Antique Pocket Compass
Gold, 18k Gold
Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Pocket Compass
Metal, Bronze, Other
Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Pocket Compass
Silver
Recent Sales
Late 19th Century English Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Late 19th Century Swiss Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Mid-17th Century Dutch Antique Pocket Compass
19th Century English Antique Pocket Compass
1920s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1920s French Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 20th Century British Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Metal
Early 20th Century British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Nickel
Early 1900s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 20th Century British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Nickel
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s American Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s American Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
19th Century Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 1800s George III Antique Pocket Compass
Mahogany
1910s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Pocket Compass
Mahogany
1910s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1880s English Late Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Sterling Silver, Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1870s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s American Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Late 19th Century British Antique Pocket Compass
Wood
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 20th Century British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 20th Century British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
19th Century Antique Pocket Compass
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1860s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1780s German Neoclassical Antique Pocket Compass
Wood
18th Century and Earlier French Antique Pocket Compass
Silver
1890s British Late Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1920s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s European Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1710s French Louis XVI Antique Pocket Compass
Silver
18th Century German Grand Tour Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 1900s French Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
1910s British Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
People Also Browsed
1980s Swiss Modern Antique Pocket Compass
Diamond, 18k Gold
1950s Swiss Retro Antique Pocket Compass
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
1890s Antique Pocket Compass
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
19th Century British Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Diamond, Enamel, Yellow Gold, 9k Gold, 15k Gold
1990s British Antique Pocket Compass
1860s British George V Antique Pocket Compass
Agate, Gold, 15k Gold
1990s Swiss Antique Pocket Compass
Diamond, 18k Gold
21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Antique Pocket Compass
Gold, Rose Gold
1940s Art Deco Antique Pocket Compass
Ruby, Gold Plate, Gold, Yellow Gold, Sterling Silver, Silver, Vermeil
Late 19th Century French Napoleon III Antique Pocket Compass
Brass
Early 20th Century European Edwardian Antique Pocket Compass
Gold, 14k Gold
Early 19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Carnelian, 15k Gold
1910s French Antique Pocket Compass
1920s French Art Deco Antique Pocket Compass
Jade, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Enamel
19th Century British Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Carnelian, 9k Gold
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Pocket Compass
Gold, 15k Gold
Antique Pocket Compass For Sale on 1stDibs
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.
- What is a pocket compass?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021A pocket compass consists of a magnetic needle encased in a nonmagnetic case that allows the needle to freely swing over a graded face or dial. A pocket compass is a timeless instrument — it can be used for research or navigation in remote areas as well as in dark and foggy conditions. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage pocket compasses.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A pocket compass is used for navigation. The magnetic needle turns until one end points north and the other points south. You can use this information to orient yourself and choose which direction to travel. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique and vintage pocket compasses.
- How do antique compasses work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Antique 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.
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