In addition to the Gallery in Milan, opened in 1999, Antik Arte & Scienza has also had a channel for online sales: on this site it is possible to buy, in fact, nautical antiques, astronomical instruments, globes and antique world maps, antique compasses, measuring instruments, vintage medical instruments and related to natural history. We know how it is important to offer secure and easy on-line purchases and therefore we have decided to offer free shipping and free insurance. All objects have an accurate and safe packaging, and when necessary also a padded wooden box made to measure. Shipping is insured by Lloyd's London, and you have 28 days to change your mind and return the bought items (see our general selling conditions for more information about return methods).
The invention of the compass is mysterious but it is well known that magnetite was discovered in Magnesia, a city of Asia Minor. We can find the first indications about the use in Europe of the magnetic force for orientation at the end of the XII century because of merchants and Arab navigators.
Because of lucky discoveries and ingenious intuitions the compass has arrived to us without many changes, showing its importance in navigation and human exploits.
1614352203Code 6867A Antique compassBrass and glass compass on universal joint from the end of the 19th century. Mounted on custom made mahogany board.
The compass consists of a cylindrical brass container, called a mortar, with double glass on the bottom of which is fixed a hard metal stem, called a sensitive element, on which the compass rose is placed suitably constrained, so that the zero coincides with the magnetic polarity.
Good condition, compass card slightly damaged. Compass diameter 13 cm - 5.11 inches, height mounted on table 13 cm - 5.11 inches, table width 17 cm - 6.69 inches.
452012145428734Code 3081B Vion compass 1900Antique rare magnetic survey by hand compass, brass with original wooden box, E. Vion Paris signed, early 1900s. Very good condition. Compass diameter cm 11 - inches 4.33, height cm 27 - inches 10.6. Box cm 15.5x15x32 – inches 6.1x5.9x12.5.
1528986144Code 5954 Antique binnacleRare mahogany wood binnacle compass. Inside there is a liquid compass mounted on a universal joint signed D. BAKER Melrose Mass Pat. 22 Sept 1896 and marketed by the CHAS company. C. HUTCHINSON Agent 152 State St BOSTON. Very good condition, the light is missing. Cm 30x19 h 23 - inches 11.81x7.48 h 9.
1682680809Code 7520 Wrist CompassWrist compass in the shape of a watch in brass, bakelite and leather strap. English manufacture from the 1920s used by English army officers. The compass consists of a magnetic needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane marking the direction of magnetic North and is complete with needle lock, double protractor circle for calculating angles and double sight with target. Excellent condition, perfectly functional, compass diameter 5 cm, 2 inches, thickness 1.5 cm, 0.6 inches.
1682681378Code 7535 Pocket CompassPocket compass used by British Army officers during World War I -
1915 of brass in the shape of a pocket watch, signed Short & Mason Ltd London. The compass is equipped with a lid with snap closure with release button inside the ring. Eight-winds compass card complete with goniometric circle for calculating horizontal angles. Very good condition, fully functional,. Diameter 4.5 cm - 1.77 inches, thickness 1.3 cm - 0.5 inches.
1638810241Code 6803 Topographic CompassMagnetic topographic compass, of oak and brass; instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking with the tip of the needle the direction of magnetic north, compass card with eight winds complete with goniometric circle divided into 360 °, complete with the compass needle lock. Italian manufacture of the late 19th century. Very good condition. Measure 3.1x3.1 height 1.
1640861928Code 7047 Magntica CompassMagnetic 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 the direction of magnetic north, four-wind rose complete with goniometric circle, finish line, and 5 cm ruler. In good condition, fully functional.
Measure closed cm 7x9 x 2,5 inches 2.8 x 3.55 x 1
1655393438Code 6311 Magnetic CompassHand-held magnetic bearing compass, signed Henry Browne & Son Ltd Sestrel Made in England, early 1900s. Support base made of turned brass. Height 23 cm - 9 inches, compass diameter 10.5 cm - 4.13 inches. Very good condition.
1655912894Code 7314 Nautical CompassBrass and glass dry compass on universal joint signed Sestrel made in the first half of the 19th century and mounted on a walnut wood base. The compass is made of a brass and glass case on the bottom of which a metal stem is fixed, on which is supported the eight-wind compass card. Good condition, fully functional. Base measures cm 19,5x12, inches 7.5 x 4.8, compass diameter 11,5 cm – 4.55 inches, height inche 4.8.
1665665678Code 7375 Nautical CompassNautical compass on cardan joint signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA from the 1920s, mounted on a custom made walnut board. Eight wind rose complete with protractor circle. The compass is made up of a cylindrical vessel in brass and bronze, called a mortar, on the bottom of which a hard metal stem is fixed, on which the wind rose is suitably constrained, so that the zero coincides with the magnetic polarity.
Diameter compass cm 10,5 – inch 4.4, wooden board width cm 18,3 – inch7.4, height cm 11- inch 4.5
1670239401Code 7453 Pocket CompassSmall pocket and travel compass made of chromed brass, supplied to British army officier during the First World War. Compass in the shape of a pocket watch, equipped with a lid with snap closure with release button inside the ring, the instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane marking the direction of magnetic North. Signed Negretti & Zambra London. Compass card with 8 winds. Diameter 4.5 cm - 1.7 inches, thickness 1.2 cm - 0.3 inches. Excellent condition, fully functional.
1670244182Code 7451 Large Nautical CompassLarge liquid-filled nautical compass mounted on a gimbal signed Sestrel from the 1920s.
Made for Trawler Owners Asson. Ltd Milford Haven, a trawler owners association founded in 1917. The compass is mounted on a bespoke walnut board with brass mounts. The compass consists of a cylindrical container in brass and bronze, on the bottom of which a stem of hard metal is fixed, on which the eight-wind rose complete with protractor circle is placed and suitably constrained, so that the zero coincides with the magnetic polarity. To minimize friction, the mortar is filled with low freezing point liquid, which also has the purpose of quickly damping any oscillations and closed at the top by a sturdy protective glass. Very good condition, fully functional. Compass diameter 24 cm - 9.5 inches, table size 31.7x16 cm - inches. 12.5x6.3
1672412390Code 7472 Pocket CompassPocket compass chrome plated brass with the shape of a pocket watch, with lid engraving K.F. Perkins 1907.
The compass has a snap-on cover with release button inside the ring. Compass card with eight winds complete with a goniometric circle for the calculation of horizontal angles. Very good condition fully functional. Diameter 5,3 cm – 2.15 inches, thick 1.6 cm - 0.6 inches.
1672413749Code 7476 Nautical CompassLiquid nautical compass on universal joint signed Sestrel from the 1900s, in its original oak wood box with lid. Eight wind rose complete with protractor circle.
The compass is made up of a cylindrical vessel in brass and bronze, called a mortar, on the bottom of which a hard metal stem is fixed, on which the wind rose is suitably constrained, so that the zero coincides with the magnetic polarity. To minimize friction, the mortar is filled with liquid with a low freezing point, also having the purpose of quickly dampening any oscillations of the complex and closed at the top by a sturdy protective glass. Good condition stain on lid. Measure box cm cm 19,5x19,5 h 13,5 – inches 7.75x7.75 h 5.8.
1682682110Code 7537 Officer CompassPocket compass for the RAF officers, signed F. Darton & Co London V n. 77824 1916 made of brass chrome in the shape of a pocket watch.
The compass has a snap-on cover with release button inside the ring. Twelve-winds compass card.
Very good condition fully functional.
Diameter 4.5 cm - 1.77 inches, thickness 1.5 cm - 0.59 inche
1682682436Code 7522 Pocket CompassSmall Magnetic travel compass, of turned brass, an instrument consisting of a magnetized needle free to rotate on a horizontal plane, marking the direction of magnetic north with the tip of the needle. Compass card with sixteen winds on copper plate engraving paper complete with goniometric circle divided into 360 °. English manufacture of the second half of the 19th century. Excellent condition, fully functional. Diameter 3,8 cm - 1.45 inches, thickness 1.2 cm - 0.47 inches.
1682693848Code 7553 Small CompassSmall brass nautical pocket compass complete with cover and ring for the chain. Rose with eight winds complete with protractor circle for calculating horizontal angles. English manufacture from the 1920s. Excellent condition, fully functional. Diameter 4 cm- inches 1.7 thickness 1.5 cm – inches 0.6
1682694244Code 7552 Pocket CompassPocket compass for an English air force officer in use during the First World War, in chromed brass in the shape of an onion watch. The compass is equipped with a lid with snap closure with release button inside the ring. Four-winds rose complete with protractor circle for calculating horizontal angles.
Very good condition, fully functional. Diameter 4.5 cm - 1.75 inch, thickness 1.3 cm - 0.45 inch.
1682780586Code 7480 Nautical CompassDry compass placed in its original wooden box.
English manufacture from the end of the 19th century.
The compass consists of a brass and glass vessel on the bottom of which a metal stem is fixed on which the sixteen-wind rose of engraving paper on a copper plate is placed, complete with a goniometric circle.
Very good condition, fully functional.
Box size 12x12 h 9,5 cm – 4.7x4.7 x3.5 inches, compass diameter 7,5 cm – 2.9 inches.
1682781082Code 7568 Hand-Hel CompassHand-held magnetic bakelite compass, signed Saura Japan made in the 1950s. The compass can be backlit, the batteries are inserted into the handle. Height 24 cm - 9.44 inches, compass diameter 9.7 cm - 3.8 inches. Very good condition.
1683369574Code 7569 Prismatic CompassPrismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed F-L (French Limited) N. 83002 produced in 1917, Verner’s Pattern model named after the designer, Colonel William Willoughby Cole Verner (1852-1922). It can also be held in the hand and therefore away from magnetic fields. It is equipped with a sighting system with a finish line complete with optical prism for magnification and a goniometric wind rose in order to make it possible to measure the angle between the line of sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle. Complete with wind rose block. Very good condition, fully functional.
Diameter cm 5,3 x 2 – inches 2.1 x 0.70.
1683370033Code 7581 Prismatic CompassPrismatic bearing bush in brass; it is a small compass, signed Aitchison London N. 27 D and produced in 1918 and supplied to English officers.
It can also be held in the hand and therefore away from magnetic fields.
It is equipped with a sighting system with a finish line complete with optical prism for magnification and a goniometric wind rose in order to make it possible to measure the angle between the line of sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle.
Complete with wind rose block.
Very good condition, fully functional, diameter cm 5,3 x 2 – inches 2.1 x 0.70.
1683912294Code 7562 Prismatic CompassPocket liquid bearing compass signed F. Barker’s Patent 1918, used by British army officers during the first world war. On the back of the compass it reads: The Soltima Inst. Co 1918 n. 8784 Barker’s Patents.
It is a small vintage compass typically used in recreational sailing, therefore on boats less subject to magnetic deviation. It can also be held in the hand and therefore away from the magnetic fields of the boat. It is equipped with a sighting system and a goniometric compass card in order to make it possible to measure the angle between the line of sight and the north indicated by the magnetic needle.
Very good condition, fully functional, complete with original leather case.
Measurements diameter 5,3 cm – 2.1 inches, height 3 cm – 1.25 inches.
Do you provide an authenticity certificate/expertise?
Of course! The legislative decree n. 42/2004 stipulates that who sells works of art or historical and archaeological items has the obligation to deliver to the purchaser the documents attesting to the authenticity of the object, or at least to submit the documents relating to the probable attribution and origin. Antik Arte & Scienza provides an expertise (as warranty) that contains a description, period and assignment or the author, if known, of the item.
How can I pay?
Secure payments by PayPal, credit card or bank transfer.
What are the shipping terms and the delivery schedule?
Shipping by DHL or UPS is free (but if we are shipping to a country non-EU remember that any taxes and customs duties are on your expense), and items will be sent just after receiving of payment. Italy: delivering on the average in 24 h.
Europe: delivering on the average in 2/3 weekdays.
Other countries: delivering on the average in 5 weekdays; custom duties charged to the buyer.
Is shipping insured?
Of course! Free insurance by Lloyd's London that covers almost all destinations.
If I change my mind, can I return the item?
Of course! (see our general terms for more information).
Antik Arte & Scienza sas di Daniela Giorgi - via S. Giovanni sul Muro 10 20121 Milan (MI) Italy - +39 0286461448 - info@antik.it - www.antik.it - Monday-Saturday: 10am-7pm
