Pocket Compass
Vintage 1910s English Edwardian Historical Memorabilia
Metal, Brass
20th Century Unknown Pocket Watches
Antique 1780s German Neoclassical Desk Accessories
Brass
Antique Early 18th Century French Neoclassical Scientific Instruments
Metal, Bronze, Other
Antique Mid-18th Century French Baroque Boxes and Cases
Silver
Antique Late 17th Century French Louis XIV Carriage Clocks and Travel Cl...
Silver
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Mixed Media
Mixed Media
Recent Sales
Antique Late 19th Century English More Desk Accessories
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Victorian Pocket Watches
Yellow Gold, 18k Gold
Antique Mid-17th Century Dutch Scientific Instruments
Antique 19th Century English Scientific Instruments
21st Century and Contemporary English Modernist Pocket Watches
Sterling Silver
Vintage 1920s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1920s French Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Early 20th Century British Victorian More Desk Accessories
Metal
Mid-20th Century Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1930s Japanese Nautical Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century British Aviation Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Nickel
Antique Early 1900s British Aviation Objects
Brass
Vintage 1930s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Late 20th Century British Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Aviation Objects
Brass
Vintage 1940s American Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Nickel
Vintage 1910s British Aviation Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s American Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Aviation Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s Aviation Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s American Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Aviation Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century British Nautical Objects
Brass
Antique Early 1800s George III Scientific Instruments
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Nickel
Antique Early 1800s English Georgian Scientific Instruments
Mahogany
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1930s British Nautical Objects
Brass
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Nautical Objects
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Brass
Antique 1890s British Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Brass
Antique 1880s English Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Edwardian Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Nickel
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Nickel
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Scientific Instruments
Sterling Silver, Brass
Vintage 1910s British Aviation Objects
Brass
Antique 1870s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Vintage 1910s American Scientific Instruments
Brass
Antique Late 19th Century British Nautical Objects
Wood
Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments
Brass
Early 20th Century British Nautical Objects
Brass
Vintage 1910s Aviation Objects
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Pocket Watches
Gold, 18k Gold
Antique 19th Century Scientific Instruments
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Scientific Instruments
Brass
People Also Browsed
Early 20th Century French Charles X Pillows and Throws
Wool, Linen
Vintage 1970s French Mid-Century Modern Chaise Longues
Fabric
21st Century and Contemporary Solomon Islands Organic Modern Natural Spe...
Coral
Antique Early 1900s Swiss Pocket Watches
Gold-filled
Antique Late 19th Century English Neoclassical Revival Musical Instruments
Bronze
Vintage 1920s Hungarian Other Paintings
Canvas
Antique 1880s American Victorian Pocket Watches
Diamond, White Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Late 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Iron
Antique 1880s American Pocket Watches
14k Gold
Late 20th Century English Rococo Picture Frames
Metal
Early 20th Century American Pocket Watches
14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Club Chairs
Ash, Upholstery
Mid-20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Murano Glass
Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Wall Lights and Sconces
Iron
Vintage 1920s Chain Necklaces
Yellow Gold
21st Century and Contemporary French Art Deco Chandeliers and Pendants
Bronze
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.
Read More
Dickens Fan on Your List? This First Edition of ‘A Christmas Carol’ Is a Treasure
Produced in 1843, the well-preserved volume is evidence of the author's exacting specifications.
Patchwork Quilts Are the Latest Nostalgic Design Trend
New or old, the coverlets add old-time charm to any space.
Medal-Worthy Memorabilia from Epic Past Olympic Games
Get into the games! These items celebrate the events, athletes, host countries and sporting spirit.
Ahoy! You’ve Never Seen a Collection of Sailor Art and Kitsch Quite Like This
French trendsetter and serial collector Daniel Rozensztroch tells us about his obsession with objects related to seafaring men.
39 Incredible Swimming Pools
It's hard to resist the allure of a beautiful pool. So, go ahead and daydream about whiling away your summer in paradise.
Pamela Shamshiri Shares the Secrets behind Her First-Ever Book and Its Effortlessly Cool Interiors
The sought-after designer worked with the team at Hoffman Creative to produce a monograph that beautifully showcases some of Studio Shamshiri's most inspiring projects.
Moroccan Artworks and Objects Take Center Stage in an Extraordinary Villa in Tangier
Italian writer and collector Umberto Pasti opens the doors to his remarkable cave of wonders in North Africa.
Montecito Has Drawn Royalty and Celebrities, and These Homes Are Proof of Its Allure
Hollywood A-listers, ex-pat aristocrats and art collectors and style setters of all stripes appreciate the allure of the coastal California hamlet — much on our minds after recent winter floods.








