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Small Antique Compass

Antique Map of Martinique with Title Cartouche Garnished with Sugar Cane, c.1760
Located in Langweer, NL
incorporates the distance scales and is garnished with sugar cane. A small compass rose completes the
Category

18th Century Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper

Lough Derg, Donegal – Antique Irish Pilgrimage Map Engraving c.1700
Located in Langweer, NL
with St. Patrick’s Purgatory. The map is oriented with north to the right (as indicated by the small
Category

Early 18th Century German Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper

Cadiz Island: A Framed 17th Century Hand-colored Map from Blaeu's Atlas Major
By Joan (Johannes) Blaeu
Located in Alamo, CA
small compass rose overlying the bay. The bridge to the mainland from the island is shown on the right
Category

Mid-17th Century Old Masters Small Antique Compass

Materials

Engraving

20th Century
Located in Cantù, IT
Small globe with compass. Refined and with attention to detail in the slightest detail. Created
Category

19th Century Small Antique Compass

Materials

Crystal, Brass

Antique 20th Century
20th Century
$415
H 11.82 in W 9.85 in D 7.88 in
Antique Map of Trincomalee and Tambalagam Bay, 1758
Located in Langweer, NL
, given age. Original folds, as issued. Multiple small repairs, also near compass rose. General age
Category

18th Century Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of Trincomalee and Tambalagam Bay, 1758
Antique Map of Trincomalee and Tambalagam Bay, 1758
$170 Sale Price
20% Off
H 12.29 in W 14.81 in D 0 in

Recent Sales

Rare and Unusual Austrian Spherical Commode on Stand
Located in Hudson, NY
masterfully inlaid four times with compass start bursts and hairlines; crest inlaid with smaller compass star
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Small Antique Compass

Materials

Bone, Birdseye Maple, Ebony, Pearwood, Walnut

Un soir dans les C'evennes
By Jacques Alfred Brielman
Located in New Orleans, LA
smaller compass. The advancing evening light underscores the harmonious atmosphere and serene realism of
Category

Late 19th Century Small Antique Compass

Materials

Oil Pastel, Oil

Jean Baptiste Van Lerberghe Theodolite - Circa 1700 to 1720
Located in Placerville, CA
small orientation compass (looks to be engraved to 180 degrees in 20 degree increments). My best guess
Category

Early 18th Century French Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918
Located in Milan, IT
Brass prismatic bearing compass; it is a small compass, Verner’s Pattern model produced in 1918 and
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918
Brass Prismatic Bearing Compass, 1918
H 0.79 in Dm 2.09 in L 0.79 in
Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed F-L (French Limited) N. 124291
Category

1910s French Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Compass Made in the Early 1900s Used to Check the Ship's Course
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical travel compass of brass made in the early 1900s, this is a small compass used far from
Category

Early 20th Century British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Compass the Magnapole, Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical travel compass made of brass in the early 1900s, the Magnapole; small compass used away
Category

Early 20th Century British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing brass compass; it is a small compass, signed E. KOEHN Geneve Suisse n.155374
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing brass compass; it is a small compass, signed E. KOEHN Geneve Suisse n.155374
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1915 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
for U.S. Engineer Corps. This is a small compass, diameter 5.3 cm - 2 inches, height 1.8 cm - 0.7
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
U.S. Engineer Corps. This is a small compass, diameter 5.3 cm - 2 inches, height 1.8 cm - 0.7 inches
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1918 Survey Magnetic Compass for U.S. Engineer Corps Antique Nautical Objects
Located in Milan, IT
1918 made for the U.S Engineer Corps. It is a small compass, diameter 5.3 cm - 2.1 inch, height 1.8 cm
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
. 24345 of 1918 made for the U.S. Engineer Corps. It is a small compass, diameter 5.3 cm - inches, height
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1917s Verner's Pattern Small Brass Nautical Compass Supplied English Officers
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed F-L N. 109166 produced in 1917
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Nautical Antiques Prismatic Bearing Compass UK 1916 Original Leather Case
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing compass made of brass; it is a small compass, signed F. Darton & Co London n
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1918s Small Pocket Nautical Brass Magnetic Compass Signed F.L French Limited
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed F-L (French Limited) N. 246378
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Antique Navigation Brass Compass made in 1918 and Supplied to British Officers
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing compass made of brass; it is a small compass, Verner’s Pattern model named after
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1917s Brass Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
1917. It is a small compass used away from magnetic fields to check the ship's course. The compass
Category

1910s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1917s Prismatic Magnetic Pocket Compass Signed F-L Antique Marine Navigation
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed F-L N. 183801 produced in 1917. It
Category

1910s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Antique Map of Switzerland by N. Visscher, circa 1690
Located in Langweer, NL
mountain ranges, with hundreds of small villages named. A small compass rose sits below a cherub holding
Category

Late 17th Century Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper

Antique Draughtsman's Instrument Set, German, Technical Drawing, Maho, Edwardian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
accessories Trio of large compass dividers displaying the Maho maker's mark A selection of smaller compass
Category

Early 20th Century German Small Antique Compass

Materials

Nickel

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
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Small Brass Travel Compass with Lid of the Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Small brass travel compass with lid, compass card with four winds and goniometric circle of
Category

Early 20th Century French Small Antique Compass

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
Category

Early 1800s English Georgian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Mahogany

From Queen Charlotte, A Rare Miniature Gold Mounted George III Almanac, 1817
Located in Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
: ‘That every Day contained in this very small compass may prove happy to dear Ldy Melville the Sincere
Category

Early 19th Century English George III Small Antique Compass

Materials

Gold

Small Travel Compass with Lid Made in Germany in the Early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Small travel compass with lid, made of brass; compass card with eight winds and goniometric circle
Category

Early 20th Century German Small Antique Compass

1920s Brass Nautical Magnetic PocketCompass Antique Marine Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Brass survey compass made in 1920 circa, signed The Magnapole; small compass used away from
Category

1920s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Small Wood Pocket Travel Compass Card with 16 Winds
Located in Milan, IT
Small pocket compass, wood and brass, compass card with 16 winds with goniometric circle on printed
Category

19th Century Small Antique Compass

Materials

Wood

Victorian Brass Compass Made in the Late 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Small pocket compass for travelers, from the Victorian era, UK late 19th century, of brass, compass
Category

1870s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1918s Barke's Magnetic Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Device
Located in Milan, IT
Patents. It is a small vintage compass typically used in recreational sailing, therefore on boats less
Category

1910s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1918s Barke's Magnetic Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Marine Navigation Device
Located in Milan, IT
Patents. It is a small vintage compass typically used in recreational sailing, therefore on boats less
Category

1910s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1900s French Manufacture Antique Pocket Magnetic Compass Made of Turned Brass
Located in Milan, IT
Small travel compass made of turned brass with lid, eight winds compass card of engraved and
Category

Early 1900s French Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Early 1900s Magnetic Compass Signed Henry Browne & Son Antique Navigation Device
Located in Milan, IT
inches. Very good condition. It is a small antique brass compass with a wooden handle that is typically
Category

Early 1900s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Nautical Hand-Held Magnetic Bearing Compass H. Browne Sestrel
Located in Milan, IT
- 4.13 inches. Very good condition. It is a small antique brass compass with a wooden handle that is
Category

1890s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Dry Pocket Nautical Compass Placed in Its Original Box Made of Turned Brass
Located in Milan, IT
Small dry pocket nautical compass placed in its original box made of turned brass, complete with
Category

1860s British Small Antique Compass

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 Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Nautical Compass Made in UK in the Second Half of the 19th Century
Located in Milan, IT
Small nautical pocket compass in its original turned brass case complete with compass card block
Category

1860s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Small Turned Globe from the 19th Century
Located in Hamburg, DE
A beautiful, small earth globe with compass. Ludwig Julius Heymann, former bookseller from
Category

1890s German Jugendstil Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper, Wood

Portrait of Mrs Bates as a shepherdess, seated in a landscape
By Arthur Devis
Located in Stoke, Hampshire
recognized as a master of his special craft, that of describing, in small compass, the ideals of a privileged
Category

18th Century Old Masters Small Antique Compass

Materials

Canvas, Oil

Vienna Bronze by Franz Bergman Working Frogs Lovely Metal Worker, circa 1900
By Franz Bergmann
Located in Vienna, AT
/various utensils are laid on the table: Files, hammers, compasses, pliers, small drills etc. are visible
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Other Small Antique Compass

Materials

Bronze

Prismatic Bearing Brass Compass, 1918
By E. Koehn Geneve Suisse
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing brass compass, it is a small compass, signed E. KOEHN Geneve Suisse n.113715
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Brass Binoculars with Compass, circa 1880
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original pair of all brass French binoculars with a small compass on the end. The
Category

Late 19th Century French Victorian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Metal, Brass

Survey Compass Swiss Made in 1918 for U.S. Engineer Corps
Located in Milan, IT
. Engineer Corps. This is a small compass, diameter 5.3 cm - 2 inches, height 1.8 cm - 0.7 inches. It is
Category

1910s Swiss Small Antique Compass

1900s Brass Pocket Magnetic Vintage Compass Magnapole Antique Nautical Objects
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical travel compass made of brass in the early 1900s, signed The Magnapole; small compass used
Category

Early 20th Century British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Survey Compass the Magnapole
Located in Milan, IT
Brass nautical travel survey compass, made in 1914 circa, signed The Magnapole; small compass used
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

1917s Small Brass Nautical Compass Antique Maritime Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed F-L (French Limited) N. 83002
Category

1910s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1918s Small Brass Pocket Nautical Compass Antique Marina Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed Aitchison London N. 27 D and
Category

1910s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Brass Compass with Leather Case Made in 1916 Supplied to English Officers
Located in Milan, IT
Prismatic bearing compass, a small compass complete with original leather case, signed E.R. Watts
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Terrestrial globe edit by Wagner & Debes, Germany 1900.
Located in Milan, IT
pastiglia ( refined chalk ) and completed by the copper printed color gores. A small compass is placed over
Category

Early 20th Century German Small Antique Compass

Materials

Copper

1918s Antique Magnetic Brass Pocket Compass Signed Cruchon & Emons Paris N. 918
Located in Milan, IT
for the U.S. Engineer Corps. It is a small compass, diameter 5.3 cm - 2 inches, height 1.8 cm - 0.7
Category

1910s French Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Small Pocket Compass
Located in Milan, IT
Small pocket compass, mahogany and brass, compass card with 32 winds with goniometric circle on
Category

1850s British Small Antique Compass

Small Pocket Compass
Small Pocket Compass
H 0.79 in W 2.96 in D 2.88 in
1914 Brass Survey Nautical Pocket Compass Signed Magnapole by Negretti & Zambra
Located in Milan, IT
small compass used away from magnetic fields to check the ship’s course. The compass is complete with a
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Small German Pocket Compass Made of Oak and Brass
Located in Milan, IT
Small pocket compass made of oak and brass, complete with compass card with eight winds and an
Category

1860s German Small Antique Compass

Small Antique Draughtsman's Compass Set, Architect's, Technical Drawing, Hicks
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a small antique draughtsman's compass set. An English, silver nickel architect's technical
Category

Early 20th Century English Edwardian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Nickel

1870s Small Magnetic Brass Travel Compass Antique Measurement Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Small Magnetic travel compass, of turned brass, an instrument consisting of a magnetized needle
Category

1870s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1920s Small Brass Nautical Pocket Compass Antique Maritime Navigation Instrument
Located in Milan, IT
Small brass nautical pocket compass complete with cover and ring for the chain. Rose with eight
Category

1920s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

1917s Small Pocket Chromed Compass Antique Scientific Instrument of Measurement
Located in Milan, IT
Small pocket and travel compass made of chromed brass, supplied to the US army during the First
Category

1910s British Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

People Also Browsed

Set of 12 Antique Mycology Prints of Various Fungi by Barla, circa 1890
Located in Langweer, NL
Set of twelve antique mycology prints depicting various fungi / mushrooms. These prints originate from 'Flore mycologique illustrée: les champignons des Alpes-Maritimes' by J.B. Barla.
Category

Late 19th Century French Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper

Set of 12 Antique Mycology Prints of Various Fungi by Barla, circa 1890
Set of 12 Antique Mycology Prints of Various Fungi by Barla, circa 1890
$747 Sale Price / set
40% Off
H 13.39 in W 10.24 in D 0.02 in
Gervasoni Sofa Upholstered Saia 10 by David Lopez Quincoces
By David Lopez Quincoces, Gervasoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
With balanced lines, the Saia upholstered collection is created from a classic ideal reinterpreted in a contemporary key. The name, meaning "skirt" in Portuguese, illustrates its dis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Small Antique Compass

Materials

Upholstery

Gervasoni Sofa Upholstered Saia 10 by David Lopez Quincoces
Gervasoni Sofa Upholstered Saia 10 by David Lopez Quincoces
$8,177 / item
H 26.78 in W 70.87 in D 36.23 in
Ancient Crossroads: Albania to Assyria in Antiquity, Published in 1880
Located in Langweer, NL
The map titled "ALBANIA, IBERIA, COLCHIS, ARMENIA, MESOPOTAMIA, BABYLONIA, ASSYRIA" portrays the ancient regions that would encompass parts of modern-day Eastern Turkey, Armenia, Aze...
Category

1880s Small Antique Compass

Materials

Paper

18th Century Mexican Chest from New Spain
Located in Marbella, ES
Mexican chest. New Spain, 18th century. In polychrome wood. Slight paint losses on the lid. Measurements: 7 x 16 x 6.5 cm. Wooden chest from the viceregal period, hand-polychrome...
Category

Mid-18th Century Mexican Small Antique Compass

Materials

Wood

18th Century Mexican Chest from New Spain
18th Century Mexican Chest from New Spain
$2,609
H 2.56 in W 6.3 in D 2.76 in
Soda Blown Murano Glass High Coffee Table in Petrol by Yiannis Ghikas
By Miniforms, Yiannis Ghikas
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Small Antique Compass

Materials

Blown Glass

Set of 2 lacquered and painted doors, green and yellow, 18th century Rome
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Set of 2 antique doors, lacquered and hand painted with fomrelle with typical floral designs, predominantly green and yellow, hand-built in the 18th century for a palazzo in Italy, i...
Category

18th Century Italian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Wood

Set of 2 lacquered and painted doors, green and yellow, 18th century Rome
Set of 2 lacquered and painted doors, green and yellow, 18th century Rome
$6,641 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 87.8 in W 42.92 in D 1.97 in
Murano Hand Blown Chartreuse Green Glass Chandelier, in stock
Located in Miami, FL
Murano hand blown studio glass chandelier, in stock All different shaped chartreuse green discs with white details, rigadin technique Brass plated structure with 24 exposed brass reg...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Mid-Century Modern Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass

Pair of Circa 1750 Walnut Wood Entry Doors from Spain
Located in Dallas, TX
Spanish furniture and architecturals of the 18th century, such as this pair of walnut wood entry doors, were highly influenced by French stylings. Hand-carved circa 1750, the doors f...
Category

Mid-18th Century Spanish Small Antique Compass

Materials

Metal, Bronze

Pair of Circa 1750 Walnut Wood Entry Doors from Spain
Pair of Circa 1750 Walnut Wood Entry Doors from Spain
$5,200 / set
H 78.75 in W 38.5 in D 2.625 in
Antique White Pine Arched Glazed Door
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
An antique late 19th century white pine arched glazed door suitable for interior use. Dating to circa 1870, this elegant door was sourced from a Victorian orangery in Tetbury, Englan...
Category

Late 19th Century English Regency Small Antique Compass

Materials

Glass, Wood, Pine

Antique White Pine Arched Glazed Door
Antique White Pine Arched Glazed Door
$2,276
H 92.52 in W 33.86 in D 1.78 in
Antique Lacquered Gilded Bookcase, Carved Columns & Friezes, 19th Century Italy
Located in Cuneo, Italy (CN)
Ancient large lacquered and gilded bookcase, hand-carved with columns and rich gilded friezes, built entirely by hand in the middle of the 19th century for an important building in n...
Category

19th Century Italian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Wood

Antique Lacquered Gilded Bookcase, Carved Columns & Friezes, 19th Century Italy
Antique Lacquered Gilded Bookcase, Carved Columns & Friezes, 19th Century Italy
$22,772 Sale Price
20% Off
H 128.75 in W 137.8 in D 19.69 in
Antique Pair of Doors with Decorative Iron Panels
Located in Stamford, CT
This is a great pair of antique doors wood with decorative iron panels. The pair was imported from Egypt and were produced at a time in the early 1900s when French architecture and s...
Category

Early 20th Century Egyptian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Iron

Antique Pair of Doors with Decorative Iron Panels
Antique Pair of Doors with Decorative Iron Panels
$2,750 / set
H 105.5 in W 43.5 in D 1.75 in
Mid century style Ceiling Suspended Mirror with Bronze Patina Frame, Vintage N.4
By Alguacil & Perkoff Ltd.
Located in London, London
Mid-century style Vintage Four ceiling suspended mirror with a high quality pure brass full frame with a bronze patina finish inspired by the celebrated work of Italian designer Gio ...
Category

2010s British Mid-Century Modern Small Antique Compass

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Five mid 20th century Italian oil landscapes with figures, castles, Churchs
Located in Woodbury, CT
A very interesting set of five mid-20th-century Italian oils on copper. All five are classical landscape subjects and are signed Roger, though we don't know which artist with the n...
Category

1950s Old Masters Small Antique Compass

Materials

Copper

Exceptional 18th Century Oak Boiserie Panel from Chateau Saint-Maclou, Normandy
Located in Dallas, TX
This fabulous hand-carved boiseries or wooden panel was recently purchased from the Chateau St. Maclou in Normandy, France. Rooms of boiseries had design motifs that were kept the sa...
Category

1750s French Small Antique Compass

Materials

Oak

An Art Deco inspired mantel in semi-precious Nero Portoro by Ryan and Smith
Located in Tyrone, Northern Ireland
An Art Deco inspired fireplace surround made in stunning and semi-precious Nero Portoro marble by Ryan and Smith. With vibrant markings that flow in the direction of the fireplace o...
Category

2010s Northern Irish Art Deco Small Antique Compass

Materials

Marble

Antique English Break-Front Bibliotheque Bookcase in Mahogany, circa 1870
By S.E. & R. Johnson. Warrington
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A handsome and very well crafted English break-front bookcase or bibliotheque in solid mahogany by S.E. & R. Johnson of Warrington, England, circa 1870. Features six doors with glass...
Category

1870s English Victorian Small Antique Compass

Materials

Mahogany

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Small Antique Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the small antique compass you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A small antique compass — often made from metal, brass and wood — can elevate any home. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect small antique compass — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A small antique compass is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Georgian styles are sought with frequency.

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 Small Antique 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.

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