Northwestern Europe, Gosport, England, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE; United States, Boston, Massachusetts, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. An ingenious tool for nautical navigation! This ensemble includes a brass gimbal compass within a beautiful wooden binnacle case with an attached brass lantern. The gimbal compass has a glass pane to protect the instrument and painted on the cardinal points is "THE BOSTON," perhaps for the maritine compass manufacturer E.S. Ritchie. The name of the shipbuilder’s "CAMPER & NICHOLSONS LP" is painted on the center; they were renowned for their wooden racing yachts. The binnacle case has a slanted front with a glass door to view and access the compass. A rectangular glass panel is set in the wall of the lantern side to illuminate of the compass. The lantern detaches from the holder and features a glass door with a pin latch and a patented Barton’s wick. The binnacle box is outfitted with two brass brackets on the sides to secure this piece to the deck for the helmsman to reference. The gimble compass would stay level as the ship moved over rough surf and the waterproof box construction would keep the instruments dry and the lantern lit. A clever design! Size: 12" L x 8.125" W x 11.5" H (30.5 cm x 20.6 cm x 29.2 cm)

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#162812

Glass is cracked on lantern door. Nice patina to brass and wood areas. Scuffs and staining to wood. Some staining and scratches to glass on compass dial. Compass is functional.