D5208

Amplitude compass Long Caption: Magnetic compass designed for measuring the sun's amplitude. The compass card is manuscript and hand-coloured. The North point is indicated with a coat of arms, and the east point is also slightly embellished. The card is graduated to 32 points and quadrantally in degrees. Around the centre is written, 'Manoal Ferreira Portugal a Ces Cm Lisboa no Anno de 1780'. The needle is a single flat bar attached to the underside of the card, which also has some pieces of wax stuck to it, presumably to balance up the card when in use. The compass bowl is made of rosewood and is weighted with lead and glazed. It is lavishly decorated internally and has fitted brass sights and brass gimbals. The outer box has brass handles ad removable panels to allow sights to be taken, and has a coloured glass shade. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: NAV0462 Artist: Ferreira Date: 1780 Medium: rosewood; brass Size: 203 mm x 361 mm x 361 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.