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Antique Wooden Compass

19th Century Miniature Globe on Wooden Stand with Compass
19th Century Miniature Globe on Wooden Stand with Compass

19th Century Miniature Globe on Wooden Stand with Compass

By Ludw. Jul. Heymann

Located in Haddonfield, NJ

miniature globe, featuring its original patina and painted wooden base, has its original mounted working

Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Art Nouveau Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Metal

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 Wooden Compass

Materials

Metal, Brass

Antique Keuffel & Esser Co 141547 Surveyors Compass in Case w Wooden Tripod Base
Antique Keuffel & Esser Co 141547 Surveyors Compass in Case w Wooden Tripod Base

Antique Keuffel & Esser Co 141547 Surveyors Compass in Case w Wooden Tripod Base

By Keuffel and Esser Co. 1

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique Keuffel & Esser Co 141547 Surveyors Compass in Case with Adjustable Wooden Tripod Base

Category

Early 20th Century Victorian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Metal

Amazing Chest, Italy, late 16th century
Amazing Chest, Italy, late 16th century

Amazing Chest, Italy, late 16th century

$8,826

H 25.2 in W 84.26 in D 29.14 in

Amazing Chest, Italy, late 16th century

Located in Madrid, ES

. Sides framed by geometric wooden inlays. Front with compass opening. Upper surface and front opening not

Category

16th Century Italian Gothic Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood

An English POCKET GLOBE with dial for time zones
An English POCKET GLOBE with dial for time zones

An English POCKET GLOBE with dial for time zones

$11,769Sale Price|20% Off

H 9.25 in W 3.75 in D 3.75 in

An English POCKET GLOBE with dial for time zones

By Newton and Son

Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL

ungraduated, half-meridian arc, sitting atop a wooden stand with an inset compass, the front dial gives the

Category

1830s British Other Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Mahogany

Large 24 Piece Antique Mechanical Drafting Set & Original Fitted Metal Case
Large 24 Piece Antique Mechanical Drafting Set & Original Fitted Metal Case

Large 24 Piece Antique Mechanical Drafting Set & Original Fitted Metal Case

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

wooden rulers and various compasses and dividers of differing sizes and configurations. The set comes in

Category

Early 20th Century German Edwardian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Metal

Recent Sales

Children's Club Chair
Children's Club Chair

Children's Club Chair

Unavailable

H 25.2 in W 17.33 in D 17.33 in

Children's Club Chair

Located in Tourcoing, FR

wooden compass feet, its hull trimmed with brown leather look are in very good state of conservation.

Category

1650s French Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Faux Leather

American Compass Early 1900s, Brass on Wooden Base
American Compass Early 1900s, Brass on Wooden Base

American Compass Early 1900s, Brass on Wooden Base

Located in Milan, IT

, mounted on a wooden and brass base made to measure 20 x 9 cm, height 13.5 cm, compass diameter 13 cm. Good

Category

1910s American Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Antique English Wooden Cased Compass by Stanley, London
Antique English Wooden Cased Compass by Stanley, London

Antique English Wooden Cased Compass by Stanley, London

By Stanley & Co., London 1

Located in Bath, GB

wooden block measuring 2" square. The compass has a shapely blued-steel needle (marked N & S) and the

Category

1850s British Victorian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood

Brass Nautical Compass on a Wooden Board, Early 1900s
Brass Nautical Compass on a Wooden Board, Early 1900s

Brass Nautical Compass on a Wooden Board, Early 1900s

Located in Milan, IT

Nautical liquid compass, brass, on universal joint mounted on wooden board. English manufacture of

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Topographic Compass, Wooden and Brass, of the Late 19th Century
Topographic Compass, Wooden and Brass, of the Late 19th Century

Topographic Compass, Wooden and Brass, of the Late 19th Century

By W. & L.E. Gurley

Located in Milan, IT

Topographic compass, wooden and brass, signed W. & L. E. Gurley Troy USA of the late 19th century

Category

1880s American Antique Wooden Compass

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 Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass and Glass Nautical Compass on Oak Wooden Board, London, 1860
Brass and Glass Nautical Compass on Oak Wooden Board, London, 1860

Brass and Glass Nautical Compass on Oak Wooden Board, London, 1860

Located in Milan, IT

second half of the 19th century and mounted on oak wooden board. The compass consists of a brass and

Category

1860s British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Salmoiraghi Compass Made of Brass in the Early 1900s on Wooden Base
Salmoiraghi Compass Made of Brass in the Early 1900s on Wooden Base

Salmoiraghi Compass Made of Brass in the Early 1900s on Wooden Base

By Filotecnica Salmoiraghi Milano

Located in Milan, IT

Liquid compass on universal joint made by La Filotecnica Milano Ing. A. Salmoiraghi in the early

Category

Early 20th Century Italian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

19th Century Boxed Compass
19th Century Boxed Compass

19th Century Boxed Compass

Sold

H 6.5 in W 9 in D 9 in

19th Century Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Style: Boxed compass Size: 9" x 9" x 6 1/2", dry compass card diameter: 5 1/2"

Category

19th Century Antique Wooden Compass

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base
Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base

By Blake & Son Gosport

Located in Milan, IT

the 19th century and mounted on a walnut wooden base. The compass is made of a brass and glass case on

Category

1840s British Antique Wooden Compass

Nautical Compass signed Sestrel, UK, 1876
Nautical Compass signed Sestrel, UK, 1876

Nautical Compass signed Sestrel, UK, 1876

Sold

H 5.52 in W 8.98 in D 4.26 in

Nautical Compass signed Sestrel, UK, 1876

Located in Milan, IT

Nautical liquid compass, brass, on universal joint, British manufacture, mounted on wooden board

Category

1870s British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Vintage Gimbal-Mounted Compass by Wilcox, Crittenden & Co.
Vintage Gimbal-Mounted Compass by Wilcox, Crittenden & Co.

Vintage Gimbal-Mounted Compass by Wilcox, Crittenden & Co.

Located in Colorado Springs, CO

, Connecticut. The brass compass is beautifully constructed and fitted in its original wooden lidded box. The

Category

1880s American Late Victorian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

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 Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood

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

good condition. It is a small antique brass compass with a wooden handle that is typically used for

Category

1880s British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

1900s Russian World Globe Dioram Made of Wood and Paper
1900s Russian World Globe Dioram Made of Wood and Paper

1900s Russian World Globe Dioram Made of Wood and Paper

Located in Marbella, ES

The wooden base has an embedded compass and supports the globe on a bronze stand.       

Category

Early 20th Century Russian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Bronze

Terrestrial Globe Signed Cary, London, 1798
Terrestrial Globe Signed Cary, London, 1798

Terrestrial Globe Signed Cary, London, 1798

Sold

H 25 in W 16.5 in D 16.55 in

Terrestrial Globe Signed Cary, London, 1798

By Cary

Located in Milan, IT

finished, on a wooden tripod. One compass joints the three feet. Brass meridian. Maker CARY, London

Category

1790s British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Small Terrestrial Earth Globe by Heymann, circa 1890
Small Terrestrial Earth Globe by Heymann, circa 1890

Small Terrestrial Earth Globe by Heymann, circa 1890

Located in Berghuelen, DE

bowl. revolvable mounted on a turned wooden base with compass. perimeter 37.8" (96 cm). good condition

Category

19th Century German Arts and Crafts Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood, Cardboard

Jamaican Marquetry Tea Caddy in Caribbean Woods by Ralph Turnbull
Jamaican Marquetry Tea Caddy in Caribbean Woods by Ralph Turnbull

Jamaican Marquetry Tea Caddy in Caribbean Woods by Ralph Turnbull

Located in Lymington, Hampshire

Caribbean timbers and wooden nails with compass roses and a central starburst roundel on the front, the

Category

1830s Jamaican Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood

Large English Edwardian Wooden Desk Compass c.1910
Large English Edwardian Wooden Desk Compass c.1910

Large English Edwardian Wooden Desk Compass c.1910

Located in Bath, GB

A magnificent large English desk compass measuring 6 1/2" in diameter; the underside has been

Category

1910s British Edwardian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Walnut

American Compass from the Early 1900s Brass with Wooden Box
American Compass from the Early 1900s Brass with Wooden Box

American Compass from the Early 1900s Brass with Wooden Box

Located in Milan, IT

original wooden box with slot cover and mounted on a walnut board. The compass consists of a cylindrical

Category

Early 20th Century American Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Early 1900s Small Nautical Compass Original Wooden Box Antique Navigation Tool
Early 1900s Small Nautical Compass Original Wooden Box Antique Navigation Tool

Early 1900s Small Nautical Compass Original Wooden Box Antique Navigation Tool

Located in Milan, IT

original wooden box. Box size 12x12 h 8.5 cm. Compass diameter 7.5 cm. Excellent condition, fully

Category

Early 20th Century British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Large Nautical Compass Second Half of the 19th Century on Wooden Board
Large Nautical Compass Second Half of the 19th Century on Wooden Board

Large Nautical Compass Second Half of the 19th Century on Wooden Board

Located in Milan, IT

the 19th century mounted on wooden board. The compass has a cylindrical brass container, on the bottom

Category

1860s British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Compass Signed Observator, 1920s
Compass Signed Observator, 1920s

Compass Signed Observator, 1920s

Sold

H 9.45 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in

Compass Signed Observator, 1920s

By Observator

Located in Milan, IT

original oak wooden box with slit cover. Compass card with 16 winds and goniometric circle. The compass has

Category

1920s Dutch Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Sestrel Compass Late 19th Century, Brass and Wood
Sestrel Compass Late 19th Century, Brass and Wood

Sestrel Compass Late 19th Century, Brass and Wood

By Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel

Located in Milan, IT

good condition. It is a small antique brass compass with a wooden handle that is typically used for

Category

1880s British Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Beringer
18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Beringer

18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Beringer

By David Beringer

Located in Milano, MI

Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden boxwood sundial with compass, of

Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Kleininger
18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Kleininger

18th Century Diptych Portable Sundial And Compass by German Kleininger

Located in Milano, MI

Antique 18th Century Diptych Sundial and Compass a portable wooden boxwood sundial with compass, of

Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Extra Large Wooden Compass, France, circa 1890
Extra Large Wooden Compass, France, circa 1890

Extra Large Wooden Compass, France, circa 1890

Sold

H 1.75 in W 23 in D 10.5 in

Extra Large Wooden Compass, France, circa 1890

Located in Houston, TX

Extra Large Wooden Compass, France c.1890. The grand scale of this compass that is in working order

Category

19th Century French Antique Wooden Compass

Extra Large Wooden French Architect Compass, circa 1890
Extra Large Wooden French Architect Compass, circa 1890

Extra Large Wooden French Architect Compass, circa 1890

Located in Houston, TX

and see them first! The grand scale of this French architect compass, circa 1890 that is in working

Category

1890s French Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood

Monumental Pair of Cary's Library Globes
Monumental Pair of Cary's Library Globes

Monumental Pair of Cary's Library Globes

Located in New York, NY

stretcher with glazed round wooden compass case enclosing a paper compass card and magnetized metal needle

Category

19th Century English Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Mahogany

19th century Globe
19th century Globe

19th century Globe

Sold

H 18 in Dm 13.5 in

19th century Globe

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Globe on wooden stand with built-in compass at base and Zodiac ring.

Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Paper, Wood

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Antique Late 17th Century Antique Franco-Flemish Verdure Landscape Tapestry
Antique Late 17th Century Antique Franco-Flemish Verdure Landscape Tapestry

Antique Late 17th Century Antique Franco-Flemish Verdure Landscape Tapestry

Located in New York, NY

This late 17th century Franco-Flemish verdure tapestry, signed RAET, worked in fresh colors, depicting animals in a wooded river landscape with a bird of prey attacking a rabbit in t...

Category

Late 17th Century Belgian Baroque Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Tapestry, Wool

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

$229,497Sale 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 Wooden Compass

Materials

Other

Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak
Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak

Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak

$50,478

H 138.19 in W 94.89 in D 47.25 in

Set of Four Monumental Neo-Gothic Confessionals in Oak

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

A group of four antique confessionals in Neo-Gothic style, made of oak.

Category

19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Wood, Oak

Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns
Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns

Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns

Located in West Hollywood, CA

Exquisite Rotunda Structure Kiosk Copper & Carved Stone Bench Seating Columns . Monumental Exquisite refined work King Charles X Period Rotunda rotundus building structure with a...

Category

Early 19th Century French Charles X Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Stone, Copper

Antique Black Forest Bookcase or China Cabinet, Swiss, Late 1800's Part of Suite
Antique Black Forest Bookcase or China Cabinet, Swiss, Late 1800's Part of Suite

Antique Black Forest Bookcase or China Cabinet, Swiss, Late 1800's Part of Suite

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Black Forest bookcase, that was part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There is a total of (42) antique Black Forest items t...

Category

1880s Swiss Black Forest Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Marble

Antique Lion Griffon Carved Italian 1860 Monks Settle Bench Internal Storage
Antique Lion Griffon Carved Italian 1860 Monks Settle Bench Internal Storage

Antique Lion Griffon Carved Italian 1860 Monks Settle Bench Internal Storage

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand carved circa 1860 Monks oak settle bench with internal storage from the north of Italy depicting Lions, Griffons, and a coat of ...

Category

1860s Italian High Victorian Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Oak

Tiffany & Company, George Paulding Farnham, A Rare, Lavish Silver Centerpiece
Tiffany & Company, George Paulding Farnham, A Rare, Lavish Silver Centerpiece

Tiffany & Company, George Paulding Farnham, A Rare, Lavish Silver Centerpiece

By Paulding Farnham., Tiffany & Co.

Located in Long Island City, NY, NY

Tiffany & Company and George Paulding Farnham, A rare, lavish and monumental sterling silver centerpiece with original mirrored-glass sterling silver plateau, circa 1900. Museum...

Category

Early 20th Century American American Classical Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Sterling Silver

Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century
Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century

Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century

$138,521

H 257.09 in W 94.69 in D 94.69 in

Monumental Well in the Louis XIV Style, 20th Century

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

This monumental stone fountain canopy was made identical to the fountain of the Chateau of the Black Prince in Lormont. Dated from the 20th century, four columns with grooved barrels...

Category

20th Century French Napoleon III Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Stone

Period English Regency Hardwood Recamier in Manner of Marsh and Tatham
Period English Regency Hardwood Recamier in Manner of Marsh and Tatham

Period English Regency Hardwood Recamier in Manner of Marsh and Tatham

By Marsh and Tatham

Located in Essex, MA

Period English Regency Recamier in Manner of Marsh and Tatham Neoclassical Form with wonderful modern length. Egyptian Revival Palmette at foot and Scrolled backrest Four fluted le...

Category

Early 19th Century English Regency Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Hardwood

Rare Early 18th Century English Carved Oak Hugh Castle Cabinet Chest Bookcase
Rare Early 18th Century English Carved Oak Hugh Castle Cabinet Chest Bookcase

Rare Early 18th Century English Carved Oak Hugh Castle Cabinet Chest Bookcase

Located in Dayton, OH

A rare and impressive English Gothic Medieval style Cabinet, Circa 1714. Built during the reign of King George I in honor of Hugh Lupus the First Earl of Chester and his castle. Hu...

Category

Early 18th Century English Gothic Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Glass, Oak

Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope
Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope

Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope

$580Sale Price|20% Off

H 14.5 in W 11 in D 7.5 in

Keuffel & Esser Co. Military Transit Surveyor Telescope

Located in Guaynabo, PR

This is a Keuffel & Effer Co. military transit surveyor. It consists of a compass and a telescope. Inside the center of the compass is hallmarked Keuffel & Esser. Also over the front...

Category

20th Century American Industrial Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Metal

Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner Service
Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner Service

Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner Service

$47,645 / set

H 2.37 in W 20.67 in D 14.77 in

Antique Meissen 68-Piece Floral Dinner Service

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in London, GB

Antique Meissen 68-piece floral dinner service German, c. 1900 Largest serving dish: Height 6cm, width 52.5cm, depth 37.5cm Square salad bowl: Height 9.5cm, width 22cm, depth 22cm...

Category

Early 1900s German Rococo Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Porcelain

Important Pair Antique R.J. Horner Renaissance Revival Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet
Important Pair Antique R.J. Horner Renaissance Revival Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet

Important Pair Antique R.J. Horner Renaissance Revival Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet

$49,000Sale Price / set|30% Off

H 109.5 in W 63.5 in D 21.25 in

Important Pair Antique R.J. Horner Renaissance Revival Mahogany Bookcase Cabinet

By R.J. Horner & Co.

Located in Dayton, OH

A monumental, rare and exceptional pair bookcases / china display cabinets from the Gilded Age, circa 1880s. Attributed to R.J. Horner Drawing inspiration from Italian Baroque, Rena...

Category

1880s Renaissance Revival Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Glass, Mahogany

1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen
1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen

1900s Brass Bakelite Magnetic Topographer Compass Surveyor Measurement Instrumen

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic topographer compass from the early 1900s, brass and bakelite base; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with its tip th...

Category

Early 1900s European Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Brass

Pair of Old Oak Church Altars in the Neo-Gothic Style
Pair of Old Oak Church Altars in the Neo-Gothic Style

Pair of Old Oak Church Altars in the Neo-Gothic Style

$49,430

H 200.79 in W 120.08 in D 82.68 in

Pair of Old Oak Church Altars in the Neo-Gothic Style

Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR

Pair of antique Neo-Gothic style oak church altars.

Category

19th Century Belgian Gothic Revival Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Oak

Antique Victorian Louis XIV Style Centrepiece by Barnard & Sons
Antique Victorian Louis XIV Style Centrepiece by Barnard & Sons

Antique Victorian Louis XIV Style Centrepiece by Barnard & Sons

$1,295,714

H 24.81 in W 51.97 in D 34.26 in

Antique Victorian Louis XIV Style Centrepiece by Barnard & Sons

By Edward Barnard & Sons

Located in London, GB

Antique Victorian Louis XIV style centrepiece by Barnard & Sons English, 1850-53 Dimensions: height 63cm, width 132cm, depth 87cm. This magnificent centrepiece is wrought from s...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Louis XIV Antique Wooden Compass

Materials

Silver

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Antique Wooden Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal antique wooden compass for your home. Each antique wooden compass for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using brass, metal and wood. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer antique wooden compass, there are earlier versions available from the 19th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. You’ll likely find more than one antique wooden compass that is appealing in its simplicity, but Blake & Son Gosport, Filotecnica Salmoiraghi Milano and W. & L.E. Gurley produced versions that are worth a look.

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.

Questions About Antique Wooden Compass
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Antique wooden bowls were used in either storing or serving food. Wooden bowls were also preferred for bread making, as the wood held the heat that was generated by the fermenting yeast. You’ll find a variety of antique wooden bowls from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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