Items Similar to Nautical magnetic compass made USA 1930s original wooden box
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Nautical magnetic compass made USA 1930s original wooden box
$1,617.49
£1,204.12
€1,350
CA$2,215.56
A$2,464.19
CHF 1,286.72
MX$29,986.56
NOK 16,433.41
SEK 15,411.64
DKK 10,277.08
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
Nautical magnetic compass, made in the USA in the 1930s.
Bon état. Housed in its original box with wooden slot lid and mounted on gimbal.
Box measures 12x12x8.5 cm - inches 4.8x4.8x3.4.Good condition signs of use on box.
The compass consists of a cylindrical-shaped brass vessel called a mortar, on which fund is fixed a hard metal stem, called the sensing element, on which the suitably constrained wind rose is placed so that zero coincides with the magnetic polarity.
The magnetic needle is said to have been used in China as early as 2634 BCE. Ancient Chinese annals report, in fact, of a chariot on which there were a number of human-like figures with their arms stretched forward pointing south, that is, the most important cardinal point for the Chinese. A precise description of such a chariot is found only in the reign of Emperor Hian-tsoung (806-820 AD), while the first mentions of the magnet's properties appear in a 2nd-century AD Chinese dictionary.
The earliest historical records of the use of magnetic directive force in Europe date back to the late sec. XII or early XIII and attribute the exploitation of the properties of the magnet to the Amalfitans. The news that they had invented the compass, given by the Panormite and repeated by Flavio Biondo, gave rise to the legend of a nonexistent Flavio Gioia of Amalfi, who in 1302 allegedly built the first compass. Lo strumento si sarebbe diffuso nel Mediterraneo e sarebbe poi stato importato nei paesi nordici.
The last photo is the gift box.
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
Established in 1999
1stDibs seller since 2014
398 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Milan, Italy
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllBussola a liquido su giunto cardanico e montata su tavola di legno di mogano
Located in Milan, IT
Bussola a liquido su giunto cardanico e montata su tavola di legno di mogano sagomata. Manifattura inglese della fine del XIX sec. La bussola è costituita da un recipiente di forma c...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
Located in Milan, IT
Large brass liquid compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam from the 1930s. Eight-twenty rose complete with goniometric circle.
Compass diameter cm 21.5 - 8.5 in, height cm 10.5 - 4.1 in...
Category
Vintage 1930s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel 1942.
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical magnetic compass, signed by Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel 1942, Barking & London 1942. Good condition, slight abrasion on compass rose. The compass is mounted on eboni...
Category
Vintage 1940s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Large late 19th century brass nautical compass signed Kelvin-White Boston-New York
Located in Milan, IT
Large brass and glass nautical magnetic compass, late 19th century, signed Kelvin-White Boston-New York, mounted on custom-made oak and brass board.
Measures 33x25x22 cm - inches 1...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Nautical compass on cardan joint signed La Filotecnica Milano from the early 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical compass on gimbal made by Filotecnica Milano of the early 1900s. The compass consists of a copper and glass vessel; at the bottom, a metal stem is attached to which rests t...
Category
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Materials
Copper
Bussola nautica da tasca in ottone, firmata 5m LANCERS COMPASS. Inghilterra 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Bussola nautica da tasca in ottone, firmata 5m LANCERS COMPASS, manifattura inglese degli anni venti. La bussola è dotata di coperchio e di anello per la catenella. Rosa su carta a o...
Category
Vintage 1920s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
You May Also Like
Boxed Compass by Dirigo
Located in Norwell, MA
Boxed compass by Dirigo of Seattle. Alcohol filled card, alloy bezel, fitted to a unique custom box via gimbal, with hinged lid. Dimensions: 8 1/2" ...
Category
20th Century Nautical Objects
Antique maritime navy compass
Located in Banská Štiavnica, SK
Antique maritime navy compass in very nice original condition.
Category
Antique 19th Century European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Brass Boat Compass in Varnished Wood Box
Located in Norwell, MA
Classic early 20th century boat compass by American Maker. The gimballed compass has been meticulously polished and lacquered. This classic marine instrument is fitted to its origina...
Category
Vintage 1940s North American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
19th Century Boxed Ships Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
19th century ships compass set into a dovetailed box with sliding lid. Brass bowl compass with gimbaled. Weight is 9 pounds.
Category
Antique 1890s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Blunt and Company Maritime Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Mid-nineteenth century ships compass by Blunt and Company of New York. The Blunt name was involved in the maritime trade from 1824 to 1885. The name Blunt and Co. was used from 1868 to 1872 by Edmund Blunt Jr. This is a spun brass bowl compass fitted to a dovetailed wood box...
Category
Antique 1870s American Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
Rare Yacht Binnacle with Compass
Located in Norwell, MA
Solid brass gimballed boat compass fitted to a hinge front wood binnacle. Brasses include carry handle, side light, brass hooks, etc. Circa 1920.
Overall Dimensions: 7"H x 7" L x ...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
More Ways To Browse
Amalfi Furniture
Avanti Vintage
Rosa Dei Venti
Vintage Wooden Arrows
Antique Spyglass
Brass Spyglass
Antique Ships Binnacle
Nautical Antiques Ships Wheel
Paddle Wheeler
Yacht Burgee
Oars Used
Sovereign Of The Seas
Wood Pulley Block
Wooden Pulley
Brass Ships Telegraph
Nautical Compass Antique Wood
Navy Compass
Antique Pond Boats