Description: A totally handmade instrument, likely by its owner, constructed of mahogany with a glass window for the compass needle. A 180° semi circle is engraved in the mahogany and lead inset. The sighting vanes are stored horizontally and fastened with the handmade thumbscrew which can be removed to fasten the vanes on top of the instrument. Likely made in Vermont or New York.

History: A circumferentor, or surveyor's compass, is an instrument used in surveying to measure horizontal angles. It was superseded by the theodolite in the early 19th century. A circumferentor consists of a circular brass box containing a magnetic needle, which moves freely over a brass circle, or compass divided into 360 degrees. The needle is protected by a glass covering. A pair of sights is located on the North-South axis of the compass. Circumferentors were typically mounted on tripods and rotated on ball-and-socket joints.

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 1.82 | Height(in) = 2.5 | Width(in) = 10 | Depth(in) = 7

Size of Artwork(in): 2.5 x 10 x 7"

Artist Name: N/A

Medium: Mahogany, lead, glass, brass.

Circa: 1810

Very good working instrument with slight replacement of brass nails, missing the end of the hook which locks the needle compartment.