Items Similar to Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 18
Large brass nautical compass signed OBSERVATOR Rotterdam of the 1930s
$2,504.33
£1,864.54
€2,100
CA$3,461.29
A$3,680.07
CHF 1,990.07
MX$43,775.53
NOK 24,928.45
SEK 22,767.09
DKK 16,001.48
About the Item
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.
The last photo is the gift box.
OBSERVATOR was a Dutch firm in Rotterdam, founded in 1924, later bought by Kelvin Hughes in 1996. He produced various instruments including sextants, etc.
The Greeks and the Romans were still unaware of the possibility of harnessing magnetic fields for orientation, while it seems that this possibility was already somewhat known to the Chinese: around 2600 B.C. Emperor Hoang-Ti was able to overcome Prince Tchi-Yeou in battle thanks to a "magic" chariot, the See-Nan (chariot pointing south). The emperor, thanks to this device, identified the enemy's escape route, despite the fact that the enemy had concealed it through a blanket of smoke: fixed on the chariot was a human-shaped wooden silhouette that rotated on itself and, with its arm outstretched, always pointed south (pointing south of course was also pointing north at the same time, but south was considered by the Chinese to be the most important cardinal point).
About the Seller
5.0
Gold Seller
Premium sellers maintaining a 4.3+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1999
1stDibs seller since 2014
405 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 7 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Milan, Italy
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllNautical magnetic compass made USA 1930s original wooden box
Located in Milan, IT
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 4.8x4.8x...
Category
Vintage 1930s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Brass nautical compass signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA 1920
Located in Milan, IT
Nautical compass on gimbal signed DIRIGO Eugen M. Sherman Seattle USA 1920s, mounted on custom-made walnut and brass board. Eight-twenty rose complete with protractor circle. The com...
Category
Vintage 1920s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
Liquid-filled compass on gimbal and mounted on mahogany wood plank
Located in Milan, IT
Liquid compass on gimbals and mounted on shaped mahogany wood plank. English manufacture of the late 19th century. The compass consists of a cylindrical-shaped vessel made of brass a...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century 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
8253 Sinclair Haymarket London Signature Liquid Sensing Pocket Compass
Located in Milan, IT
Signed Sinclair Haymarket London liquid-detecting pocket compass in use by British army officers during World War I. This is a small vintage compass typically used in recreational sa...
Category
Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
English Pelorus brass from the second half of the 19th century, on cardan joint
Located in Milan, IT
English Pelorus brass from the second half of the 19th century, mounted on gimbals within its original mahogany wood box with brass hinges and locking hooks.
The instrument has an...
Category
Antique 1870s Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
You May Also Like
Marine chronometer, SEWILL, England late 19th century
By Sewill
Liverpool
Located in Vicenza, VI
Marine chronometer manufactured by Sewill, housed in a rosewood cubic case with brass edges and threads, measuring 18x18x19 cm. It has two lids: the first is tall and has a consultat...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Other Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass
19th Century Ships Compass From Amsterdam
Located in Norwell, MA
Antique ships compass with interesting Dutch lettering. Spun brass bowl with gimbal. Fitted to a primitive dovetailed box. Circa 1880. With compas...
Category
Antique 1880s European Scientific Instruments
Materials
Brass
English Ship
s Binnacle Compass of Brass with Side Burner Light
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English ship's binnacle compass of brass - a navigational instrument used for maritime travel.
A binnacle is the housing that protects the com...
Category
Early 20th Century English Nautical Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass
Ship’s gimble mounted compass by C.M. Hammer of Sweden
Located in London, GB
A 1950’s ship’s gimble mounted compass by C.M. Hammer, Gothenburg, of Sweden.
Marked: C.M. HAMMAR GOTEBORG 3553
Compass card by Observator of Rotterdam.
Pine case.
Carl Mauritz...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Nautical Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Iron
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
Vintage Ships Spotlight on Pedestal
Located in Norwell, MA
Industrial lighting piece of vintage lighting. Ships spotlight which is mounted by an iron yoke onto a brass pedestal. Rewired with an electric socket. ...
Category
Vintage 1940s Nautical Objects
Materials
Aluminum, Brass
