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Antique Pocket Compass

Antique 18th Century Diptych Pocket Sundial and Compass by German Beringer
Antique 18th Century Diptych Pocket Sundial and Compass by German Beringer

Antique 18th Century Diptych Pocket Sundial and Compass by German Beringer

Located in Firenze, IT

With hinged gnomon, hour ring and latitude arc, silvered compass rose with two inset bubble levels, raised on three levelling screws, in velvet lined and shaped leather covered case,...

Category

1780s German Neoclassical Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Le Maire Paris French Silver 'Butterfield' Type Pocket Sundial & Compass 1740's
Le Maire Paris French Silver 'Butterfield' Type Pocket Sundial & Compass 1740's

Le Maire Paris French Silver 'Butterfield' Type Pocket Sundial & Compass 1740's

Located in Firenze, IT

AN EARLY 18TH CENTURY FRENCH SILVER 'BUTTERFIELD' TYPE POCKET SUNDIAL AND COMPASS. the octagonal plate dial engraved a sundial with four alternating rings of roman and Arabic numera...

Category

1740s French Baroque Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Silver

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 Butterfield, circa 1700.

Category

Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Silver

Recent Sales

Victorian 1870 Pocket Compass and Barometer
Victorian 1870 Pocket Compass and Barometer

Victorian 1870 Pocket Compass and Barometer

Unavailable

H 1.19 in Dm 1.97 in

Victorian 1870 Pocket Compass and Barometer

Located in Windsor, Berkshire

Victorian 1870 pocket compass and barometer, the compass is in working condition it’s “Carpenter and Westley” and it measures 5 by 5 and stands 3 cm high.

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Yellow Gold and Enamel Compass
Yellow Gold and Enamel Compass

Yellow Gold and Enamel Compass

Unavailable

Dm 1.34 in

Yellow Gold and Enamel Compass

Located in London, GB

18k yellow gold and enamel compass

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Victorian Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Yellow Gold, 18k Gold

Dutch Brass Compass Pocket Dial, circa 1650
Dutch Brass Compass Pocket Dial, circa 1650

Dutch Brass Compass Pocket Dial, circa 1650

Unavailable

H 0.5 in Dm 1.5 in L 0.5 in

Dutch Brass Compass Pocket Dial, circa 1650

Located in Houston, TX

This is a Dutch brass compass pocket dial with elevations of major European cities.

Category

Mid-17th Century Dutch Antique Pocket Compass

Pocket Compass
Pocket Compass

Pocket Compass

Located in Lincolnshire, GB

A 19th century pocket compass with the owners name engraved on the cover.

Category

19th Century English Antique Pocket Compass

Pocket Compass English, Manufacture 1920s
Pocket Compass English, Manufacture 1920s

Pocket Compass English, Manufacture 1920s

Located in Milan, IT

Brass pocket compass in the shape of a pocket watch, complete with lid.

Category

1920s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Pocket Compass Made in France in the 1920s
Pocket Compass Made in France in the 1920s

Pocket Compass Made in France in the 1920s

Located in Milan, IT

Brass pocket compass in the shape of a pocket watch, complete with lid.

Category

1920s French Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Small Pocket Compass, Mahogany Wood and Brass, WWI
Small Pocket Compass, Mahogany Wood and Brass, WWI

Small Pocket Compass, Mahogany Wood and Brass, WWI

Located in Milan, IT

Small pocket compass, mahogany wood and brass, used by British aviation officers during the First World War, complete with compass card with eight winds with a goniometric circle and...

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Antique Folding Pocket Compass, Pillar Divider, Drawing Instrument, Victorian
Antique Folding Pocket Compass, Pillar Divider, Drawing Instrument, Victorian

Antique Folding Pocket Compass, Pillar Divider, Drawing Instrument, Victorian

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is an antique folding pocket compass. An English, Electrum alloy pillar-type divider drawing instrument, dating to the late Victorian period, circa 1900.

Category

Early 20th Century British Victorian Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Metal

Pocket Compass for a British Officer, Early 1900s
Pocket Compass for a British Officer, Early 1900s

Pocket Compass for a British Officer, Early 1900s

Located in Milan, IT

Officer pocket compass of chromed brass shaped like a pocket watch.

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI
Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass used by RAF officers in the WWI of brass in the shape of a pocket watch.

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by Army & Navy  c.1916
WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by Army & Navy  c.1916

WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by Army & Navy c.1916

By Army & Navy CSL

Located in Bath, GB

A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass signed on the lid interior "A & N Co.

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Nickel

Pocket Compass for an Officer English Manufacture, Early 1900s
Pocket Compass for an Officer English Manufacture, Early 1900s

Pocket Compass for an Officer English Manufacture, Early 1900s

Located in Milan, IT

Officer's pocket compass of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch.

Category

Early 1900s British Antique Pocket 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 direction of a ship, beautiful compass card with eight winds on paper complete with goni...

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Pocket Compass Used by British Aviation Officers, 1917
Pocket Compass Used by British Aviation Officers, 1917

Pocket Compass Used by British Aviation Officers, 1917

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass used by British aviation officers made of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch, complete with chain signed Dennison Birmingham VI 59259 of 1917.

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by F.Darton & Co - 1917
WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by F.Darton & Co - 1917

WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass by F.Darton & Co - 1917

Located in Bath, GB

A good nickel plated WW1 British Officers Military Pocket Compass signed on the front cover F.Darton & Co, London, VI, No. 2461 together with the date 1917 and the war office "crow'...

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Nickel

WWI Antique American Chromed Brass Pocket Compass by Wittnauer  Army Officers
WWI Antique American Chromed Brass Pocket Compass by Wittnauer  Army Officers

WWI Antique American Chromed Brass Pocket Compass by Wittnauer Army Officers

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass for an American army officer of the First World War of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch, signed WITTNAUER.

Category

1910s American Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Pocket Compass Used by the Royal Air Force Officers in 1915
Pocket Compass Used by the Royal Air Force Officers in 1915

Pocket Compass Used by the Royal Air Force Officers in 1915

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass for a British air force officer signed Short & Mason Ltd London V 12544 1915, made of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch.

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

1915s Magnetic Pocket Compass Short & Mason Antique Scientific Instrument
1915s Magnetic Pocket Compass Short & Mason Antique Scientific Instrument

1915s Magnetic Pocket Compass Short & Mason Antique Scientific Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass used by British Army officers during World War I in 1915 of brass in the shape of a pocket watch, signed Short & Mason Ltd London.

Category

1910s Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

Pocket Compass for a US Army Officers Signed Keuffel & Esser Co NY WWI
Pocket Compass for a US Army Officers Signed Keuffel & Esser Co NY WWI

Pocket Compass for a US Army Officers Signed Keuffel & Esser Co NY WWI

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass signed Keuffel & Esser Co New York, used by US Army officers during the First World War of chrome-plated brass in the shape of a pocket watch.

Category

1910s American Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

1916s Chromed Brass Pocket Compass by British Aviation Officers Signed Dennison
1916s Chromed Brass Pocket Compass by British Aviation Officers Signed Dennison

1916s Chromed Brass Pocket Compass by British Aviation Officers Signed Dennison

Located in Milan, IT

Pocket compass used by Britihs aviation officers made of chromed brass in the shape of a pocket watch, signed Dennison Birmingham V 104766 of 1916.

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

English Georgian Pocket Compass circa 1800 in Mahogany Case
English Georgian Pocket Compass circa 1800 in Mahogany Case

English Georgian Pocket Compass circa 1800 in Mahogany Case

Located in Bath, GB

A very handsome Georgian compass dating to around 1800 set in a hinged mahogany block measuring 3" square. The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (marked N & S) and the card...

Category

Early 1800s George III Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Mahogany

1917s Brass Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Instrument
1917s Brass Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Instrument

1917s Brass Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Instrument

Located in Milan, IT

Brass nautical travel compass complete with leather case signed Barnes & Morris London n.13844 from 1917. It is a small compass used away from magnetic fields to check the ship's c...

Category

1910s Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Brass

WW1 Mark V Pocket Compass by Dennison, Birmingham - 1916
WW1 Mark V Pocket Compass by Dennison, Birmingham - 1916

WW1 Mark V Pocket Compass by Dennison, Birmingham - 1916

By Dennison Birmigham

Located in Bath, GB

A handsome antique English military compass from World War 1 dated 1916 together with the makers signature, Dennison of Birmingham. It is also engraved with the military arrow toget...

Category

1910s British Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Nickel

Small English Georgian Pocket Compass circa 1800 in Mahogany Case
Small English Georgian Pocket Compass circa 1800 in Mahogany Case

Small English Georgian Pocket Compass circa 1800 in Mahogany Case

Located in Bath, GB

A very handsome Georgian compass dating to around 1800 set in a hinged mahogany block measuring 2" square. The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (marked N & S) and the card...

Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Antique Pocket Compass

Materials

Mahogany

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Antique Pocket Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

With a vast inventory of beautiful furniture at 1stDibs, we’ve got just the antique pocket compass you’re looking for. Each antique pocket compass for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, brass and glass. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer antique pocket compass, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. An antique pocket compass made by Victorian designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. A well-made antique pocket compass has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Ceebynite Short & Mason Taylor, Butterfield Paris and Short & Mason are consistently popular.

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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