RARE MINIATURE GEORGIAN GILT BRASS COMPASS BY DAVIS c1820 – Sold

A rare and very attractive high quality miniature Georgian long necked gilt brass compass in leather case by John Davis, Derby c1820

Rare Miniature Georgian Gold Plated Brass Compass by Davis c1820 – SOLD


A scarce, high quality, 1¼” diameter gilt brass pocket compass having enamelled card dial with hand painted cardinals, intercardinals and false points, signed for the retailer, “J Davis, Derby.” Polished flat steel bar needle with jewelled suspension, highly-polished reflector ring, bevelled convex crystal. Gilt brass drum form case, long necked suspension post and Georgian bow with transit lock button behind. Contained within its original mulberry velvet and cerise silk lined moroccan leather over wood case with swinging brass keeper.

Condition: The hand painted dial crisp, swinging freely and finding north easily, the transit lock working well. The compass remaining in completely original condition, with virtually all its gold plating, slight marks to verso and losses to bow, the crystal near-perfect, the leather case modestly worn, retaining most of its original finish. Crisp overall.

Comments: This most attractive compass is very unusual, being of smaller size, and in good working order. Although the carat is of the plating is not known, the richness of the colour would suggest 18ct gold.

In wonderful original condition, this antique pocket compass is very much a collector’s piece.

Dimensions: 1¾” diameter x ¾” deep

Stock No: SI1667

Price: SOLD