Antique Survey Compass
Early 20th Century French Antique Survey Compass
Brass
1890s American Antique Survey Compass
Brass
19th Century German Antique Survey Compass
Bronze
Early 20th Century British Antique Survey Compass
Nickel
Early 18th Century French Antique Survey Compass
Brass
1730s Antique Survey Compass
Paper
1640s Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Survey Compass
Engraving
Late 17th Century English Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century English Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century Antique Survey Compass
Engraving
Late 17th Century English Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Survey Compass
Engraving
Early 17th Century Old Masters Antique Survey Compass
Engraving
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Survey Compass
Engraving
17th Century English Baroque Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century British Charles II Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century English Charles II Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century British Charles II Antique Survey Compass
Paper
1670s English Baroque Antique Survey Compass
Paper
1670s English Baroque Antique Survey Compass
Paper
1670s English Baroque Antique Survey Compass
Paper
1670s European Baroque Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century British Charles II Antique Survey Compass
Paper
Late 17th Century British Charles II Antique Survey Compass
Paper
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Early 1900s American Antique Survey Compass
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1910s Swiss Antique Survey Compass
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1910s Swiss Antique Survey Compass
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1870s British Antique Survey Compass
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1910s Swiss Antique Survey Compass
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Early 20th Century English Edwardian Antique Survey Compass
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1920s Antique Survey Compass
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1830s American Antique Survey Compass
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1880s American Antique Survey Compass
Early 1900s Antique Survey Compass
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1840s British Antique Survey Compass
Brass
Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Survey Compass
Brass
1920s American Antique Survey Compass
Brass
1820s Antique Survey Compass
Brass
Early 1800s British Antique Survey Compass
1850s American Antique Survey Compass
Late 18th Century American Antique Survey Compass
1910s British Antique Survey Compass
Early 20th Century British Antique Survey Compass
Late 19th Century English Antique Survey Compass
Brass
1910s Swiss Antique Survey Compass
1910s British Antique Survey Compass
Brass
19th Century American Antique Survey Compass
1910s British Antique Survey Compass
Brass
Mid-17th Century Antique Survey Compass
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1780s Antique Survey Compass
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Late 17th Century British Charles II Antique Survey Compass
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Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Survey Compass
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1880s Antique Survey Compass
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17th Century Antique Survey Compass
Laid Paper, Color Pencil
Antique Survey 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.
- 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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