Skip to main content

Antiques Compasses

to
10
175
75
156
119
87
53
45
27
24
18
12
11
10
9
8
8
5
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
6
4
2
1
1
Sort By
Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass
Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass

Antique English Field Glasses / Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo - With Compass

By Lawrence and Mayo

Located in Bath, GB

having been meticulously professionally re-polished to gleam. They come with the integral compass

Category

Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique Victorian Compass Fob Ships Wheel 9k Rose Gold Pendant Nautical Motif
Antique Victorian Compass Fob Ships Wheel 9k Rose Gold Pendant Nautical Motif

Antique Victorian Compass Fob Ships Wheel 9k Rose Gold Pendant Nautical Motif

Located in Torrance, CA

Finely detailed antique Victorian compass fob crafted in 9k rose gold (circa 1897). Originally

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold, Rose Gold

19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam
19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam

19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique ships compass with interesting Dutch lettering. Spun brass bowl with gimbal. Fitted to a

Category

Antique 1880s European Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique English Field Glasses or Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, with Compass
Antique English Field Glasses or Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, with Compass

Antique English Field Glasses or Binoculars by Lawrence and Mayo, with Compass

By Lawrence and Mayo

Located in Bath, GB

having been meticulously professionally re-polished to gleam. They come with the integral compass

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique W & L.E Gurley Troy N.Y Surveyors Transit Compass Scope Tripod Stand
Antique W & L.E Gurley Troy N.Y Surveyors Transit Compass Scope Tripod Stand

Antique W & L.E Gurley Troy N.Y Surveyors Transit Compass Scope Tripod Stand

By W. & L.E. Gurley

Located in Dayton, OH

Antique surveyor’s level transit signed W & L.E Gurley, Troy NY. Made from oak, brass and glass

Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Binnacle Compass, English, Brass, Maritime, Navigation, Instrument
Vintage Binnacle Compass, English, Brass, Maritime, Navigation, Instrument

Vintage Binnacle Compass, English, Brass, Maritime, Navigation, Instrument

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a vintage binnacle compass. An English, brass maritime navigation instrument, dating to the

Category

Early 20th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Vintage Beam Compass, German, Cartographer, Architect, Drawing, Riefler
Vintage Beam Compass, German, Cartographer, Architect, Drawing, Riefler

Vintage Beam Compass, German, Cartographer, Architect, Drawing, Riefler

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

antique beam compass, by a renowned German instrument maker. Presenting well within its case, this set is

Category

Vintage 1930s German Scientific Instruments

Materials

Metal

Guildmaster Neoclassical Style Carved Giltwood Compass Rose Table
Guildmaster Neoclassical Style Carved Giltwood Compass Rose Table

Guildmaster Neoclassical Style Carved Giltwood Compass Rose Table

Located in Forney, TX

luxurious antique neoclassical furniture, the exceptionally executed table having a unique square serpentine

Category

Late 20th Century Neoclassical End Tables

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Category

Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Nickel

Midcentury Maison Jansen Mahogany and Églomisé Black Glass Compass Coffee Table
Midcentury Maison Jansen Mahogany and Églomisé Black Glass Compass Coffee Table

Midcentury Maison Jansen Mahogany and Églomisé Black Glass Compass Coffee Table

By Maison Jansen

Located in Baambrugge, NL

frame, that has gilt brass inlays and trims. The "églomisé" work represents an antique English drawing

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Masonic 9 Karat Gold Square and Compasses Cameo Oval Charm Pendant
Masonic 9 Karat Gold Square and Compasses Cameo Oval Charm Pendant

Masonic 9 Karat Gold Square and Compasses Cameo Oval Charm Pendant

Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.

depicting the “Square and Compasses”. Weight: 1.42g Size: 2.2x1.3cm ——— If you have any questions

Category

Mid-20th Century English Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Vintage Haff Prazision Spezial Drawing Drafting Set of Tools Compass Set
Vintage Haff Prazision Spezial Drawing Drafting Set of Tools Compass Set

Vintage Haff Prazision Spezial Drawing Drafting Set of Tools Compass Set

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely antique Haff Prazision Spezial compass set A very

Category

20th Century German Post-Modern Scientific Instruments

Materials

Steel

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

Antique 1880s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Masonic JHW 9 Karat 15 Karat Gold Square And Compasses Cross Ball Orb Pendant
Masonic JHW 9 Karat 15 Karat Gold Square And Compasses Cross Ball Orb Pendant

Masonic JHW 9 Karat 15 Karat Gold Square And Compasses Cross Ball Orb Pendant

Located in Vilnius, Vilniaus apskr.

features two segments. - The “Square and Compasses” is crafted in 15K gold. - The cross ball orb is

Category

Early 20th Century English Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 15k Gold, 9k Gold, Silver

Early Large Sailor's Valentine in Ebonized Case, circa 1920
Early Large Sailor's Valentine in Ebonized Case, circa 1920

Early Large Sailor's Valentine in Ebonized Case, circa 1920

Located in Nantucket, MA

inspiration for the octagonal cases came from ship’s compass boxes. Today, antique sailor's valentines remain

Category

Vintage 1920s Bajan Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Shell, Wood

19th Century Large Sailor's Valentine in Mahogany Case, circa 1880
19th Century Large Sailor's Valentine in Mahogany Case, circa 1880

19th Century Large Sailor's Valentine in Mahogany Case, circa 1880

Located in Nantucket, MA

inspiration for the octagonal cases came from ship’s compass boxes. Today, antique sailor's valentines remain

Category

Antique 1880s Bajan Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Shell, Wood

Brass Yacht Binnacle From the 19th Century
Brass Yacht Binnacle From the 19th Century

Brass Yacht Binnacle From the 19th Century

Located in Norwell, MA

Very fine antique boat compass fitted to a polished brass case. The binnacle is fitted to a carved

Category

Antique 1890s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Miniature Yacht Binnacle by James Campbell of Glasgow
Miniature Yacht Binnacle by James Campbell of Glasgow

Miniature Yacht Binnacle by James Campbell of Glasgow

Located in Norwell, MA

mounting bolts. Inside is a polished brass gimballed compass. Charming marine antique. Weight: Overall

Category

Vintage 1960s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine
19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine

19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine

Located in Nantucket, MA

Antique Double Sailor's Valentine, mid to late 19th Century, a pair of handcrafted shell collages

Category

Antique 19th Century Bajan Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Shell

Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant, Attributed to F.N. Geny, Lyon, circa 1780
Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant, Attributed to F.N. Geny, Lyon, circa 1780

Louis XVI Secretaire a Abattant, Attributed to F.N. Geny, Lyon, circa 1780

By François-Noël Geny

Located in Berlin, DE

front quarter-veneered with a central medallion depicting compass, globe, antique urn, quill and color

Category

Antique 1780s French Louis XVI Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

Double Sailor's Valentine "Forget Me Not" Signed and Dated "Barbados, 1915"
Double Sailor's Valentine "Forget Me Not" Signed and Dated "Barbados, 1915"

Double Sailor's Valentine "Forget Me Not" Signed and Dated "Barbados, 1915"

Located in Nantucket, MA

believed that the inspiration for the octagonal cases came from ship’s compass boxes. Today, antique

Category

Vintage 1910s Bajan Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Shell, Mahogany

19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine - "Home Sweet Home" circa 1870
19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine - "Home Sweet Home" circa 1870

19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine - "Home Sweet Home" circa 1870

Located in Nantucket, MA

believed that the inspiration for the octagonal cases came from ship’s compass boxes. Today, antique

Category

Antique 1870s Bajan Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Shell, Mahogany

Antique Compass Pendant of 15ct Gold
Antique Compass Pendant of 15ct Gold

Antique Compass Pendant of 15ct Gold

Located in Lewisburg, PA

Antique Compass Pendant: This antique pendant (circa 1900-1910) features a working compass within a

Category

Early 20th Century Pendant Necklaces

Materials

15k Gold

Antique William IV Sterling Silver Locking Travelling Compass
Antique William IV Sterling Silver Locking Travelling Compass

Antique William IV Sterling Silver Locking Travelling Compass

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

locking travelling compass; an addition to our diverse silver collection This exceptional antique

Category

Antique 1830s English William IV More Desk Accessories

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Miniature Specimen Marble or Hard Stone Compass
Antique Miniature Specimen Marble or Hard Stone Compass

Antique Miniature Specimen Marble or Hard Stone Compass

Located in Philadelphia, PA

A fine miniature antique compass. Set in a matrix of specimen gemstones and hardstones. The

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Models and Miniatures

Materials

Onyx, Tiger's Eye, Jasper

Antique 9ct Gold Ships Wheel Compass Pendant
Antique 9ct Gold Ships Wheel Compass Pendant

Antique 9ct Gold Ships Wheel Compass Pendant

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Compass Pendant 9ct Gold Stamped Hallmarked Chester 1919 A truly fabulous find, an

Category

Early 20th Century English Pendant Necklaces

Materials

Gold, 9k Gold

Antique 15ct Yellow Gold, Edwardian Compass Pendant
Antique 15ct Yellow Gold, Edwardian Compass Pendant

Antique 15ct Yellow Gold, Edwardian Compass Pendant

Located in Brighton, GB

Antique Compass Pendant 15ct Gold Circa 1910 * THE CHAIN IS SOLD SEPARATELY Step back in time

Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Pendant Necklaces

Materials

15k Gold, Yellow Gold

Antique Box Compass
Antique Box Compass

Antique Box Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique nautical box dry card compass. Box is 5 x 5 x 4. Compass face diameter is 3".

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Antique Gold Compass Fob
Antique Gold Compass Fob

Antique Gold Compass Fob

Located in Baltimore, MD

Unusual Victorian 15K gold flip fob with a carnelian seal on one side and a compass on the other

Category

Antique Late 19th Century British Victorian More Jewelry

Materials

Carnelian, 15k Gold

Antique Boxed Yacht Compass in Brass
Antique Boxed Yacht Compass in Brass

Antique Boxed Yacht Compass in Brass

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique gimballed brass boat compass in dovetailed wood box. Compass and ring are highly polished

Category

Vintage 1930s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique maritime navy compass Francis Barker & Son
Antique maritime navy compass Francis Barker & Son

Antique maritime navy compass Francis Barker & Son

Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj

Antique maritime navy compass Francis Barker & Son London

Category

Antique 19th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique 9k Gold Compass Pendant, Spinning Fob
Antique 9k Gold Compass Pendant, Spinning Fob

Antique 9k Gold Compass Pendant, Spinning Fob

Located in NEWARK, GB

A beautiful antique 9kt gold compass pendant or fob. It has a whimsical and mystical feel to it

Category

Early 20th Century Art Deco Pendant Necklaces

Materials

9k Gold

Antique Victorian silk albertina and gilt compass
Antique Victorian silk albertina and gilt compass

Antique Victorian silk albertina and gilt compass

Located in NEWARK, GB

A lovely antique Victorian era black silk ribbon fob with a gilt compass. The long black silk fob

Category

Antique 19th Century British Victorian Pocket Watches

Materials

Gilt Metal

Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1890
Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1890

Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1890

Located in Bath, GB

A smart late Victorian brass cased travelling compass with lid to protect the glass The compass

Category

Antique 1890s English Late Victorian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1900
Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1900

Antique English Brass Cased Compass c.1900

Located in Bath, GB

A handsome cased late Victorian or Edwardian compass with hinged lid, the little button on the top

Category

Antique Early 1900s British Edwardian Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Rare Antique Triple Lens Binoculars with Compass
Rare Antique Triple Lens Binoculars with Compass

Rare Antique Triple Lens Binoculars with Compass

Located in Bath, GB

They have been painstakingly re-polished to gleam, restoring them to their former glory, a winning combination with the dark coloured leather. They come complete with their original ...

Category

Vintage 1910s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique English WWI 1917 British Army Officer's Compass
Antique English WWI 1917 British Army Officer's Compass

Antique English WWI 1917 British Army Officer's Compass

Located in Bath, GB

compass and case are both original to each other. Also impressed with the maker's name "T French & Son Ltd

Category

Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

  • 1
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Antiques Compasses", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Antiques Compasses For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of antiques compasses is available at 1stDibs. The range of distinct antiques compasses — often made from metal, brass and wood — can elevate any home. There are all kinds of antiques compasses available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. There are many kinds of antiques compasses to choose from, but at 1stDibs, Victorian, folk art and industrial antiques compasses are of considerable interest. There have been many well-made antiques compasses over the years, but those made by Lawrence and Mayo, Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel and A. Lietz Co. are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much are Antiques Compasses?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $1,076, while they’re typically $1 on the low end and $9,000,000 highest priced.
Questions About Antiques Compasses
  • 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.