Set of eight navigation compasses, 18th-19th century.

Set of eight navigation compasses, 18th-19th century.
Iron and brass.
In papier mache box of the same period.
Exhibits wear consistent with age and use. One of them has a loose leg.

Set of eight precision compasses, characteristic of the technical or mathematical drawing sets of the nineteenth century. The nineteenth century was a time of great advancement in engineering, architecture and the sciences. Precision in technical drawing became essential for the design and construction of complex machines, infrastructure and monumental buildings. Most compasses are made of brass and iron, materials preferred for their corrosion resistance, malleability and aesthetic appeal when polished. The tips of the compasses, however, are made of steel, a material chosen for its greater hardness and ability to maintain a sharp edge or point, crucial for accurate tracing or marking. The box houses precision compasses with screw and nut system (or toothed sector), dry-point compasses (dividers), and line drawing compasses.