Antique Compasses
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Oxidised Surveyors Level by Reid and Young
Located in Norwich, GB
by a central spirit level. Three and a half inch compass mounted below with silvered scale, locking
Category
1920s British Edwardian Antique Compasses
Materials
Brass
Mediterranean and Adriatic Seas: Original 18th Century Hand-colored Map by Bowen
Located in Alamo, CA
.
The map is embellished by a decorative title cartouche in the lower left and two Compass Roses with
Category
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Map of the Russian Empire: An Original 18th Century Hand-colored Map by E. Bowen
Located in Alamo, CA
by a decorative title cartouche in the lower left and an adjacent Compass Rose and a distance scale
Category
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Late 19th Century Gold Gilt Zinc Weathervane
Located in London, GB
have sat high on a roof attached to a large compass to display which way the wind was blowing. A truly
Category
1890s French Early Victorian Antique Compasses
Materials
Zinc
Antique Map of Normandy by Janssonius, 1657
Located in Langweer, NL
decorative cartouche, sailing ships and compass rose. This map originates from 'Atlas Novus, Sive Theatrum
Category
17th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Map of the Holy Land by Schut, 1710
Located in Langweer, NL
of the Holy Land embellished with sailing ships and compass rose. Dutch text on verso. Source unknown
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of the Holy Land by Van Luchtenburg, c.1720
Located in Langweer, NL
with scale and compass rose. Published in the Netherlands by Covens & Mortier c. 1720.
Artists and
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
London 1744 Published Watercolour Antique Map of East Africa by Eman Bowen
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
is highly embellished, including a cartouche showing a wildebeest and a compass rose. The map extends
Category
1740s English George III Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Detailed Antique Map of Santa Domingo, Puerto Rico, Eastern Bahamas, ca. 1780
Located in Langweer, NL
century decorative features such as hand coloring, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses
Category
1780s Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Detailed Map of Papua New Guinea and the Regions to the West, ca.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
as hand coloring, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses. While mostly focusing on
Category
1780s Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Rare Copper Engraving of Female with Five Breasts Lactating onto Others, 1686
Located in Langweer, NL
painting before her; beside her to the left, male figure holding compass, with sketches and geometrical
Category
1680s Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Map of the Cape Verde Islands, 1746
Located in Langweer, NL
. Decorative cartouche and compass rose. Extends from Isle de St. Antoine down to Isle de St. Yago (sic
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$161 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Map of the Island of Java by Van Der Aa, 1725
By Pieter Van Der Aa
Located in Langweer, NL
island of Java. With compass rose and scale. This plate originates from the very scarse: 'La galerie
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of the Roadstead of Bantam by Van der Aa, 1725
By Pieter Van Der Aa
Located in Langweer, NL
city of Banten / Bantam on Java, Indonesia and its roadstead. With compass rose and scale. This plate
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Attractive Original Map of the Province of Overijssel, the Netherlands, Ca.1700
Located in Langweer, NL
handcoloured map of the province of Overijssel, The Netherlands. With beautiful title cartouche, compass rose
Category
Early 1700s Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$890 Sale Price
40% Off
Siberia as Explored by Behring: Original 18th Century Hand-colored Map by Bowen
Located in Alamo, CA
the title and a reindeer on the right. There is an adjacent Compass Rose on the right.
This striking
Category
Mid-18th Century Old Masters Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Shetland Islands Sea Chart – Antique Nautical Map by Ottens Brother c.1745
Located in Langweer, NL
, compass roses, coastal soundings, sandbanks, and bays. The surrounding islands and coastal configurations
Category
1740s Dutch Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Engraving Print from the Panckoucke Encyclopédie Nautical Subject 1782-1832
Located in Milan, IT
make a compass. The Print has the "Benard direxit" signature. Very good condition.
L’Encyclopédie
Category
1790s French Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
19th Century English Globe by Renowned Cartographers John Newton and Son
By Newton and Son
Located in Southall, GB
also one of the few firms to combine instruments with globes. In this globe, the compass is set in the
Category
19th Century English Antique Compasses
Materials
Hardwood
Edinburgh, Scotland Coast: A 17th Century Hand-Colored Sea Chart by Collins
By Captain Greenvile Collins
Located in Alamo, CA
, as well as St. Andrews and Dunbar, Scotland. It includes a compass rose, a sailing ship and multiple
Category
Late 17th Century English Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Plymouth, England: A Hand-Colored 17th Century Sea Chart by Captain Collins
By Captain Greenvile Collins
Located in Alamo, CA
and two compass roses. The beautiful and colorful cartouche includes a dedication to the Earle of
Category
Late 17th Century English Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Persian Serapi Rug with Rare Allover Design and Traditional Style
Located in Dallas, TX
, this rug functions not just as floor art but as a spiritual and aesthetic compass—a harmonious balance
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Serapi Antique Compasses
Materials
Wool
$63,120 Sale Price
20% Off
Hampshire County, Britain/England: A Map from Camden
s" Britannia" in 1607
By John Norden
Located in Alamo, CA
compass rose in the lower right corner above the names of the cartographer, John Norden and one of the
Category
Early 17th Century English Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Early 19th Century Set of Four Trompe-L’Oeil Oil Paintings on Marble with Putti
Located in Palm Desert, CA
. The Arts are represented by an artist's palette, a sculpture bust and a compass, and Sciences by an
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Compasses
Materials
Marble
Antique Map of the City of Enkhuizen by Tirion, 1743
Located in Langweer, NL
Dutch legend. Decorated with compass rose, several ships and the city-arms. Artists and Engravers: Isaak
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$142 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Map of the Empire of China by Bonne, c.1780
By Rigobert Bonne
Located in Langweer, NL
cartouches, and compass roses. While mostly focusing on coastal regions, the work of Bonne is highly regarded
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Rare Pair of Table Globes by Cary, Each Dated 1816
By John
William Cary
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
original compass rose. The terrestrial globe shows geographic entities shaded in faded tones of blue, pink
Category
1810s English Antique Compasses
Materials
Brass
Plan of Vänersborg, Sweden – Antique Map by Merian, c.1680 Theatrum Europaeum
Located in Langweer, NL
the city’s defensive structures and surrounding water routes, with a compass rose orienting the viewer
Category
Late 17th Century European Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$285 Sale Price
20% Off
Original Antique Map of Juan Fernandez by Van Schley, 1757
Located in Langweer, NL
adorned with a decorative title cartouche and a compass rose with fleur-de-lys. The map was based on
Category
18th Century French Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Rare Engraved Antique Map of India with Elephants in the Cartouche, c.1725
Located in Langweer, NL
map of India, with part of Sri Lanka. Compass rose and decorative cartouche lower right with scale and
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Italy, Showing Corsica, Sardinia, Croatia, Malta and More, C.1740
Located in Langweer, NL
bit of Provence, Malta and the northern coast of Africa. The map is centered on a simple compass rose
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
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 Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Flanders, Holland
Norfolk: Hand-Colored 17th Century Sea Chart by Collins
By Captain Greenvile Collins
Located in Alamo, CA
several compass roses and extensive rhumb lines. A beautiful and colorful cartouche in the lower right
Category
Late 17th Century English Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Asia and the East Indies and Korea as a Peninsula, ca.1660
Located in Langweer, NL
. Beautiful detailing throughout with rivers, mountains and forests, as well as sailing vessels and a compass
Category
17th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$2,375 Sale Price
20% Off
Java, Sumatra
Borneo Map – Bellin
van Schley Decorative Chart, 1750s
Located in Langweer, NL
compass rose dominates the center of the composition, elegantly radiating directional lines across the
Category
Mid-18th Century French Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
$386 Sale Price
50% Off
French Marble, Gilt Bronze and Amboyna Burl Side Cabinet
Located in London, GB
central gilt bronze plaque, depicting cherubs navigating with globes, telescopes, compasses and maps. The
Category
19th Century French Neoclassical Antique Compasses
Materials
Marble, Ormolu, Bronze
Antique Dutch Map of the Twelve Tribes of Israel – After Ezekiel, circa 1730
Located in Langweer, NL
and annotated with topographical elements such as mountain ranges and rivers. A decorative compass
Category
Early 18th Century Dutch Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of the Islands Near Batavia, Capital of the Dutch East Indies, 1682
Located in Langweer, NL
, Indonesia. With scale, compass rose, cartouche and ships on the sea. Sheet with engraving and text front and
Category
17th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of the Moluccas in Indonesia by Janssonius, C.1650
By Johannes Janssonius
Located in Langweer, NL
vessels, sea monsters, two elaborate compass roses with north oriented to the right, and a native couple
Category
17th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Promised Land of Canaan – Antique Map of Israel with Biblical Scenes, van Jagen
Located in Langweer, NL
geography, tracing the paths and presence of Christ throughout his ministry. A compass rose positioned in
Category
1740s Dutch Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Original Map of the East Indies Including Sumatra, Java, Borneo
Malaysia, 1755
Located in Langweer, NL
, Celebes (Sulawesi) and adjoining seas threaded with rhumb lines from a bold eight-point compass rose
Category
1750s Dutch Antique Compasses
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 Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
West Africa Entitled "Guinea Propria": An 18th Century Hand Colored Homann Map
By Johann Baptist Homann
Located in Alamo, CA
play around inscribed ivory tusks. One of the children holds a compass tool.
This striking map of
Category
Mid-18th Century German Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Stunning Large Scale Antique Map of Martinique, Rare, Published 1758
Located in Langweer, NL
cartouche in the opposite corner. Rhumb lines and a compass rose complete the composition. Its meticulous
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Asia, Showing Tradewinds, Silke Route Cities Etc, c.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses. While mostly focusing on coastal regions, the work of
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Africa with Ocean Currents and Other Details, C.1780
Located in Langweer, NL
century decorative features such as hand coloring, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses
Category
18th Century French Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
"Nova Barbariae Descriptio", a 17th Century Hand-Colored Map of North Africa
By Johannes Janssonius
Located in Alamo, CA
crocodile and a dragon. A sailing ship and a compass rose lie within the Mediterranean. The detailed
Category
Mid-17th Century Dutch Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula
Located in New York, NY
lines radiating from three compass roses arrayed along the equator. The map was first published in 1608
Category
17th Century Other Art Style Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Cambridge map 17th century engraving after John Speed
By John Speed
Located in London, GB
miles, but in the broadest is not fully twenty: the whole in Circumference, traced by the compass of her
Category
1620s Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Sir Francis Bacon: 18th C. Portrait of Philosopher, Scientist, Author, Statesman
By Jacobus Houbraken
Located in Alamo, CA
rolled manuscript and a compass for measuring distances on a map on the left.
Francis Bacon (1561-1626
Category
1730s Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Newton
Sons Late George III Terrestrial and Celestial Mahogany Library Globes
By Newton and Son
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
horizontal angle of a bearing measured clockwise from the north); also with compass bearings; the celestial
Category
1830s Antique Compasses
Materials
Wood
Antique Map of Greece, Albania, Macedonia and Parts of Turkey and Cyprus, c.1745
Located in Langweer, NL
Greece. Includes Albania, Macedonia and parts of Turkey and Cyprus. With compass rose and scale
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Friesland, Groningen and German East Friesland by Ortelius, 1603
Located in Langweer, NL
: Descriptio. 1568.' Detailed map of Friesland, the Netherlands. Includes a larger compass rose, sailing ships
Category
17th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Antique Map of Mozambique and Cape of Good Hope with Kingdom Monomotapa, 1780
Located in Langweer, NL
century decorative features such as hand coloring, elaborate decorative cartouches, and compass roses
Category
18th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
West Africa: A 17th Century Hand-Colored Map by Mercator/Hondius
By Gerard Mercator
Located in Alamo, CA
adjust their course based on frequent compass readings. This has become know as Mercator projection on
Category
1630s Antique Compasses
Materials
Engraving
Antique Map of Friesland with Elaborate Cartouche by Mapmaker Ortelius, c.1570
Located in Langweer, NL
: Descriptio. 1568.' Detailed map of Friesland, the Netherlands. Includes a larger compass rose, sailing ships
Category
16th Century Antique Compasses
Materials
Paper
Distressed Antique Persian Tabriz Rug with Modern Rustic Style
Located in Dallas, TX
spiritual compass, guiding the beholder toward transcendence and rooted heritage.
The muted earth-tone
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Malayer Antique Compasses
Materials
Wool
$8,799 Sale Price
20% Off
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Antique Compasses For Sale on 1stDibs
An assortment of antique compasses is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, brass and wood, all antique compasses available were constructed with great care. There are all kinds of antique compasses available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Victorian, Folk Art and Georgian antique compasses are consistently popular styles. Many antique compasses are appealing in their simplicity, but Lawrence and Mayo, Ceebynite Short
Mason Taylor and E. Koehn Geneve Suisse produced popular antique compasses that are worth a look.
How Much are Antique Compasses?
Prices for antique compasses can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, antique compasses begin at $150 and can go as high as $65,000, while the average can fetch as much as $853.
Questions About Antique Compasses
- How do antique compasses work?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Antique 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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