Mariner's Compass

Date1600-1699

Period17th century

Classification(s)

Navigation and Timekeeping / Magnetic and Astronomical

Object TypeMariner's Compass; Magnetic Compass

Registration NumberMMM 000065.2

DescriptionMariner's compass composed of two parts - the compass itself inside the boxwood case and the lid. It may be a Portuguese invention but requires further research. This small compass is mounted in a turned wooden box. The card is probably hand-painted and is marked with the 32 points. The north point is decorated and the east point with a cross indicating Jerusalem. The other cardinal and semi-cardinal points are marked G, L, S, O, P and M.
Material

Wood, card, glass, wax

DimensionsCompass: 75mm x 35mm x 46mm (overall height) Lid: 77mm x 11mmExhibition HistoryExhibited in Malta. Land of Sea, BOZAR, Centre of Fine Arts, Brussels; 17 February - 28 May 2017.Bibliography

Royal Museums Greenwich. (2021). "Mariner's Compass", [online], https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-42675, accessed last on 13/10/2021

Alternate ID Numbers