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Dry Compass

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill
19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

19th Century Compass by Robert Merrill

Located in Norwell, MA

19th century compass by Robert Merrill, dry compass card mounted to timber box on a gimbal.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus
Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass housing, mounted to a mahogany baseboard, dry compass card reads ES Ritchie Inc. Sliding front doors.

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph
Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph

Yacht Binnacle by Ludolph

Located in Norwell, MA

Ludolph yacht binnacle with brass cap and ornately cast iron stand. Two side burners, dry compass card stamped "Ludolph Bremerhaven" and fastened by gimbal.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880
American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880

American Mahogany and Brass Ship Binnacle, Riggs & Brothers, Phila. Circa 1880

By Riggs & Brothers

Located in Charleston, SC

American mahogany ship binnacle with a brass-mounted dome helmet, internal dry compass by Ritchie of Boston, flanking removable burners with the original fonts and resting on an octa...

Category

Antique 1880s American American Empire Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass
Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass

Yacht Binnacle from Italy Circa 1880 with Dry Card Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Yacht binnacle of a very unique and rare design. With Italian compass on gimbals. Mushroom style hood with hinged doors. Ornate pedestal with wood base. Overall dimensions: Dimens...

Category

Antique 1880s Italian Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass
Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

Yacht Binnacle with Wood Bowl Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Nineteenth-century yacht binnacle with a dry card compass in a wood bowl. The compass has been tilt-mounted for decorative viewing.

Category

Antique 1860s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Observator Rotterdam Teak and Brass Ship's Compass Binnacle
Observator Rotterdam Teak and Brass Ship's Compass Binnacle

Observator Rotterdam Teak and Brass Ship's Compass Binnacle

Located in Nottingham, GB

Within the brass head assembly, the gimballed dry card compass ring is clearly stamped with the serial number 568043 and maker's name.

Category

Early 20th Century Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Pre World War I Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Located in Norwich, GB

At the time the British admiralty dry mounted nautical compasses were considered by all navies and commercial shipping companies as the highest technological standard of the day, how...

Category

Vintage 1910s Nautical Objects

Materials

Copper

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie
Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

Pre World War 1 Nautical Compass by E.S.Ritchie

By E.S. Ritchie & Co

Located in Norwich, GB

At the time the British admiralty dry mounted nautical compasses were considered by all navies and commercial shipping companies as the highest technological standard of the day, how...

Category

Antique Early 1900s Nautical Objects

Materials

Copper

Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s
Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s

Premium Ships Binnacle by Whyte Thomson & Co’s

Located in Norwell, MA

Polished and lacquered mushroom style hood and compass cowl. Very rare dry card compass on hanging gimbal, all polished to perfection.

Category

Antique 1860s European Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display
Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display

Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display

Unavailable

H 7 in W 27 in D 10 in Dm 8.25 in

Antique Nautical Twin Dolphin American Dry Card Compass Display

Located in Palm City, FL

Shown is an interesting antique compass made by the American instrument maker, D. Baker of Boston. It has been mounted in an elaborate presentation, suspended between two vintage, br...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Scientific Instruments

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter
Antique Box Compass by Thaxter

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter

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H 5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Antique Box Compass by Thaxter

Located in Norwell, MA

Dry compass card. Dimensions: (box) 5" H x 5" W x 5" L, 3" face diameter.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Early 1900s Boxed Compass
Early 1900s Boxed Compass

Early 1900s Boxed Compass

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H 3.5 in W 5.5 in

Early 1900s Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Early 1900s boxed compass by Durkee. Stamped Serial No. S2246, dry compass card reads abbreviated Charles D Durkee & Company, New York.

Category

Early 20th Century Nautical Objects

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass
Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass

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H 3.5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Mid-19th Century Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Mid-19th century boxed compass by Samuel Thaxter of Boston. Dry compass card, brass housing, fitted with gimbal to old timber box painted black.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Nautical Objects

19th Century Boxed Compass
19th Century Boxed Compass

19th Century Boxed Compass

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H 6.5 in W 9 in D 9 in

19th Century Boxed Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Style: Boxed compass Size: 9" x 9" x 6 1/2", dry compass card diameter: 5 1/2" Period: 19th century, approximately Manufacturer: Unknown, retailer: Paul Pinot,...

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

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H 4 in W 6 in D 6 in

Boxed Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Located in Norwell, MA

Wilcox Crittenden boxed compass with brass gimbal and dry compass card mounted into a dovetailed wooden box.

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass
American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass

American Compass Placed in Its Original Box of Turned Brass

By S. Thaxter & Son

Located in Milan, IT

Dry compass placed in its original box of turned brass enclosed by a protective glass and complete with lid, signed S.

Category

Antique 1890s American Scientific Instruments

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus
Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

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H 12 in Dm 9 in

Lifeboat Binnacle by Negus

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass housing, mounted to a mahogany baseboard, dry compass card reads ES Ritchie Inc. Sliding front doors.

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base
Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base

Brass Compass First Half of the 19th Century Mounted on a Walnut Wooden Base

By Blake & Son Gosport

Located in Milan, IT

Brass and glass dry compass on universal joint signed Blake & Son Gosport made in the first half of the 19th century and mounted on a walnut wooden base.

Category

Antique 1840s British Nautical Objects

John Bliss Binnacle
John Bliss Binnacle

John Bliss Binnacle

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H 48 in W 20 in D 16 in

John Bliss Binnacle

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass binnacle by John Bliss & Co of NY. Dry compass card. Side burners. Fixed brass wheel with wooden spokes.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century
Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century

Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century

Located in Milan, IT

Inside there is a dry compass signed J. Blowey plymouth mounted on universal joint placed in a mahogany case topped with a pyramid-shaped cap made of brass and glass.

Category

Antique 1890s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

1900s Brass Magnetic Compass Signed Sestrel Antique Maritime Navigation Tool
1900s Brass Magnetic Compass Signed Sestrel Antique Maritime Navigation Tool

1900s Brass Magnetic Compass Signed Sestrel Antique Maritime Navigation Tool

Located in Milan, IT

Brass 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.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870
British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870

British Royal Navy Brass Dry Card Compass, Circa 1870

Located in Charleston, SC

British Royal Navy brass dry card compass with original side light burner, hinged viewing port, and carrying handle.

Category

Antique 19th Century British Nautical Objects

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century
Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century

Dry Magnetic Compass Signed J. S. Stockholm, Early 19th Century

Located in Milan, IT

Dry magnetic compass placed in its original wooden case green painted, compass card with eight winds on paper, signed J.

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Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Scientific Instruments

Materials

Wood

Dry Pocket Nautical Compass Placed in Its Original Box Made of Turned Brass
Dry Pocket Nautical Compass Placed in Its Original Box Made of Turned 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 brass cover and closed by a protective glass.

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Antique 1860s British Nautical Objects

Boat Compass
Boat Compass

Boat Compass

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H 8.5 in W 4.25 in D 3.5 in

Boat Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique boat dry card compass mounted into timber, dovetail box via gimbal by C.R.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Authentic Nautical Compass
Authentic Nautical Compass

Authentic Nautical Compass

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H 4.75 in W 4.75 in

Authentic Nautical Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Authentic nautical dry card compass by Wilcox Crittenden. Brass bezel mounted to a timber, dovetailed box with gimbal.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Nautical Objects

Rare Telltale Ships Compass
Rare Telltale Ships Compass

Rare Telltale Ships Compass

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H 4 in Dm 8 in

Rare Telltale Ships Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Ship captains telltale ships compass on gimbal. Dry card compass by Van Der Voort, 34 Brewers Canal, Antwerp.

Category

Antique 1890s European Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass
Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass

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H 6.5 in W 10 in D 10 in

Robert Merill & Sons Ship's Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Mid-19th century ship's compass with dry card from Robert Merrrill and Sons, New York.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Scientific Instruments

Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie
Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie

Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie

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H 14 in Dm 8.5 in

Chrome Yacht Binnacle Ritchie

Located in Norwell, MA

Chrome yacht binnacle with dry card, gimbaled compass by Ritchie. Glass window.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker
Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker

Ship's Binnacle with Unique Tapered Mahogany Base by English Maker

Located in Norwell, MA

Ship's binnacle with awesome tapered base and heavy brass base collar. Highly polished hood. Dry card compass. Iron compensating balls are mounted on brass brackets.

Category

Vintage 1930s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s
Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s

Rare Dry Compass, Kelvin and Hughes, England, Early 1900s

Located in Nantucket, MA

This is a rare dry compass made by Kelvin and Hughes, England, from the early 1900s, brass.

Category

Early 20th Century English Industrial Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool
English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool

English Antique Nautical Dry Compass, by George Christian, Liverpool

By George Christian

Located in Delft, NL

English antique nautical dry compass, by George Christian, Liverpool Antique late 19th century dry card compass housed in a brass tub that is suspended by gimbales in a wooden dov...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century English Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Brass Desk Compass
Brass Desk Compass

Brass Desk Compass

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H 1.5 in Dm 3 in

Brass Desk Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Dry compass card, brass lid. Dimensions: 3" D, 1.5" H.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden
Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

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H 4.75 in W 4.75 in D 4.75 in

Brass Box Compass by Wilcox Crittenden

Located in Norwell, MA

Brass box compass by Wilcox Crittenden. Dry compass card, fitted to a varnished wood box with gimbal.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally
Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally

Early Brass Compass by Snow & Neally

Located in Norwell, MA

Early brass compass by Snow & Neally of Bangor, Maine. Brass bezel, dry compass card, stamped with Serial No. 358.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston
Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston

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H 5 in W 6 in D 6 in

Iron Boxed Compass by Star of Boston

Located in Norwell, MA

Iron box compass by Star of Boston. Dry compass card reads "Star Pattened Milton, Mass.

Category

20th Century Nautical Objects

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI
Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI

Pocket Compass Used by RAF Officers in the WWI

Located in Milan, IT

It is a dry compass with a chromed brass snap closure cover to protect the compass glass, complete with a compass card with eight winds with goniometric circle.

Category

Vintage 1910s British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass

Compass Lilley & Reynolds Ltd London Made in 1930s in Its Original Wooden Box
Compass Lilley & Reynolds Ltd London Made in 1930s in Its Original Wooden Box

Compass Lilley & Reynolds Ltd London Made in 1930s in Its Original Wooden Box

Located in Milan, IT

Magnetic dry compass of the 1930s, on universal joint, in its original wooden box complete with slot lid, signed LILLEY & REYNOLDS Ltd London, firm born from the merging between John...

Category

Vintage 1930s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

19th Century Dry Card Compass by Ritchie of Boston Dated 1863
19th Century Dry Card Compass by Ritchie of Boston Dated 1863

19th Century Dry Card Compass by Ritchie of Boston Dated 1863

Located in Norwell, MA

Quality ship's compass from Boston maker E.S. Ritchie. Heavy brass bowl is engraved with the maker's name and patent dates: Sept. 9, 1862, and Apr. 7, 1863, with a cylindrical compas...

Category

Antique 1860s North American Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Antique Box Compass
Antique Box Compass

Antique Box Compass

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H 5 in W 5 in D 5 in

Antique Box Compass

Located in Norwell, MA

Antique nautical box dry card compass. Box is 5 x 5 x 4. Compass face diameter is 3".

Category

Antique 19th Century Nautical Objects

Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display
Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display

Lord Kelvin Bottomley & Baird Threaded Nautical Compass Display

Located in Palm City, FL

Here is a very important English dry card compass made by Kelvin, Bottomley & Bard.

Category

Early 20th Century British Scientific Instruments

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass
Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass

Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird Giant Ship's Threaded Nautical Compass

Located in Palm City, FL

A very important and rare English dry card compass made by Kelvin, Bottomley & Baird is presented as a display.

Category

Antique 19th Century English Scientific Instruments

Materials

Glass

Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass
Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass

Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass

Sold

H 8 in W 10 in D 4 in Dm 5.75 in

Antique Ship's Captain Nautical Tell Tale Compass

Located in Palm City, FL

Shown is a truly fine dry card tell tale compass. It has a paper card which has the directions printed on it so when it is mounted overhead, as it would be on a vessel, are seen corr...

Category

Antique 19th Century American Scientific Instruments

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H 15 in W 14 in D 13 in

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Materials

Wood

19th Century Japanese Shunga Hand-Scroll, Katsukawa School
19th Century Japanese Shunga Hand-Scroll, Katsukawa School

19th Century Japanese Shunga Hand-Scroll, Katsukawa School

Located in Kyoto, JP

Shunga Unknown artist Meiji era, circa 1880 Hand-scroll mounted with 12 paintings Ink, pigment and gofun on silk Dimensions: Each image measures H. 23.2 cm x W. 34...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Japanese Meiji Paintings and Screens

Materials

Silk

8396 Brass and glass nautical magnetic compass signed Star Pathfinder 1930s
8396 Brass and glass nautical magnetic compass signed Star Pathfinder 1930s

8396 Brass and glass nautical magnetic compass signed Star Pathfinder 1930s

Located in Milan, IT

Nautical magnetic compass, brass and glass signed Star Pathfinder Milton Mass Boston USA No. 60405 from the 1930s. Housed in its original mahogany wood box with slit lid and mounted...

Category

Vintage 1930s Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern
Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern

$2,800 / item

H 39.38 in W 39.38 in D 13.39 in

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern

By Joanina and David Pastoll

Located in Johannesburg, ZA

Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with a sheet of natural thick leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable e...

Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

1970s Postmodern Italian Sculptural Queen Size Bed with Nightstands
1970s Postmodern Italian Sculptural Queen Size Bed with Nightstands

1970s Postmodern Italian Sculptural Queen Size Bed with Nightstands

By Ettore Sottsass

Located in Miami, FL

Beautiful 1970s Italian postmodern, queen-size bed that features nightstands and a headboard with storage, combining style and functionality. The lacquered wood has been refinished a...

Category

Vintage 1970s Post-Modern Beds and Bed Frames

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire
Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

$272,319Sale Price|20% Off

H 100.6 in W 66.93 in D 24.81 in

Rare Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim & Pauly Cie Et Venice Antique Carved Armoire

By Pauly et Cie, Guggenheim Museum

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare one of a kind Pauly CIE Et stamped hand carved walnut armoire made by the genius that was Moses Michelangelo Guggenheim 1837-1910 W...

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Victorian Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Walnut

Fine Steinway & Sons Wedgwood Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Baby Grand Piano Model M
Fine Steinway & Sons Wedgwood Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Baby Grand Piano Model M

Fine Steinway & Sons Wedgwood Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Baby Grand Piano Model M

By Steinway & Sons

Located in Roslyn, NY

Steinway & Sons Ormolu Mounted Mahogany Baby Grand Piano Model M, serial no. 244684, circa 1926 With Wedgwood Light Blue Jasperware / Wedgwood Framed Oval Plaques Decorated With Clas...

Category

20th Century American Regency Musical Instruments

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Vintage Pond Yacht
Vintage Pond Yacht

Vintage Pond Yacht

$7,554

H 79 in W 70 in D 11.5 in

Vintage Pond Yacht

Located in Norwell, MA

Wooden pond yacht with natural finish and painted white above the waterline. Linen sails, blue deck. 70" long x 11 1/2" wide x 78" high

Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Nautical Objects

Materials

Brass, Lead

Amuneal's Collector’s Wardrobe + Vanity 4 Bay Unit
Amuneal's Collector’s Wardrobe + Vanity 4 Bay Unit

Amuneal's Collector’s Wardrobe + Vanity 4 Bay Unit

$63,939 / item

H 102 in W 123.5 in D 25.75 in

Amuneal's Collector’s Wardrobe + Vanity 4 Bay Unit

By Amuneal

Located in New York, NY

Four bays of Amuneal’s collector’s shelving system is used to create this modular wardrobe unit with silvered oak shelves, dresser, vanity table and mirror. The precision design and ...

Category

2010s American Modern Wardrobes and Armoires

Materials

Brass

Life Size Antique Bronze Carousel Horse Sculpture
Life Size Antique Bronze Carousel Horse Sculpture

Life Size Antique Bronze Carousel Horse Sculpture

Located in West Hartford, CT

Magnificent antique carousel horse sculpture, all original. All dimensions are below. This is a large and heavy sculpture. The weight is approximately 210 pounds. Now, more than ever...

Category

Early 20th Century Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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Dry Compass For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic dry compass available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and brass, every dry compass was constructed with great care. You’ve searched high and low for the perfect dry compass — we have versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 20th Century are available. A dry compass made by Art Deco designers — as well as those associated with Georgian — is very popular. Many designers have produced at least one well-made dry compass over the years, but those crafted by E.S. Ritchie & Co, François Linke and Rene Gabriel are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

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.

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