Ship's compass - Brass, Bronze
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Selected by Paul Wullems
He accumulated 18 years' experience, worked as junior specialist at Sotheby’s and managed Kunsthandel Jacques Fijnaut.
Estimate € 110 - € 160
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Vintage Vion Paris marine compass with cardan suspension, made of brass and bronze, origin France, period estimated as the second half of the 20th century, dimensions 124 x 84 x 84 mm and weight 777 g.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
It is a fascinating vintage compass, rich in historical and technical details. Specifically, it is a marine (or aeronautical) gimbal-suspended compass, produced by the historic French company Vion.
Here are the main details that emerge from the image analysis:
1. The Brand and Origin
In the center of the compass, vertically arranged on either side of the central pivot, you can read the inscriptions "VION" (on the left) and "PARIS" (on the right).
The Vion firm has been famous since the 19th century for producing high-precision scientific instruments, in particular barometers, compasses, and marine navigation chronometers, and later for aviation.
2. The Mechanical Structure (Gimbal Suspension)
The instrument is housed inside a double metal crown with orthogonal pins (the black-brown concentric rings on the outside).
This system is known as gimbal suspension. It keeps the compass perfectly horizontal and stable, compensating for the roll and pitch movements of a ship or the turbulence of an aircraft, allowing always accurate readings.
3. The Dials and Indications
The most curious and unique aspect of this model is the presence of two inverted reading scales, designed for precise navigation purposes:
The outer ring (Blue/Dark Green): It carries the wind rose and the standard degrees (0° or 360° for North, 90° for East, 180° for South, 270° for West). The cardinal points are indicated with the international abbreviations (N, SE, S, SW, W, NW, NE).
The inner movable dial (White): You will notice that the cardinal points and the degrees are inverted relative to the outer ring. For example, where the outer ring marks 360° (North), the inner disk marks 180° (South), or the South is aligned graphically with the external North.
The grid and the arrows: At the center there are two large stylized arrows (one black and one gold) that serve as fiducial lines or milestones for calculating the course, the drift angle, or for performing a mirror azimuth reading.
4. Condition and Style
The typography and the geometric Art Deco design of the central arrows suggest that the object probably dates from the first half of the 20th century (roughly between the 1920s and the 1950s).
It features a beautiful vintage patina, with small signs of oxidation on the mounting screws and on the outer ring, which enhance its collectible charm.
That’s the case 84.3mm
It is a fascinating vintage compass, rich in historical and technical details. Specifically, it is a marine (or aeronautical) gimbal-suspended compass, produced by the historic French company Vion.
Here are the main details that emerge from the image analysis:
1. The Brand and Origin
In the center of the compass, vertically arranged on either side of the central pivot, you can read the inscriptions "VION" (on the left) and "PARIS" (on the right).
The Vion firm has been famous since the 19th century for producing high-precision scientific instruments, in particular barometers, compasses, and marine navigation chronometers, and later for aviation.
2. The Mechanical Structure (Gimbal Suspension)
The instrument is housed inside a double metal crown with orthogonal pins (the black-brown concentric rings on the outside).
This system is known as gimbal suspension. It keeps the compass perfectly horizontal and stable, compensating for the roll and pitch movements of a ship or the turbulence of an aircraft, allowing always accurate readings.
3. The Dials and Indications
The most curious and unique aspect of this model is the presence of two inverted reading scales, designed for precise navigation purposes:
The outer ring (Blue/Dark Green): It carries the wind rose and the standard degrees (0° or 360° for North, 90° for East, 180° for South, 270° for West). The cardinal points are indicated with the international abbreviations (N, SE, S, SW, W, NW, NE).
The inner movable dial (White): You will notice that the cardinal points and the degrees are inverted relative to the outer ring. For example, where the outer ring marks 360° (North), the inner disk marks 180° (South), or the South is aligned graphically with the external North.
The grid and the arrows: At the center there are two large stylized arrows (one black and one gold) that serve as fiducial lines or milestones for calculating the course, the drift angle, or for performing a mirror azimuth reading.
4. Condition and Style
The typography and the geometric Art Deco design of the central arrows suggest that the object probably dates from the first half of the 20th century (roughly between the 1920s and the 1950s).
It features a beautiful vintage patina, with small signs of oxidation on the mounting screws and on the outer ring, which enhance its collectible charm.
That’s the case 84.3mm
Details
Era
1900-2000
Country of origin
France
Material
Brass, Bronze
Condition
Fair condition - heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing
Height
84 mm
Width
124 mm
Depth
84 mm
Weight
777 g
Estimated period
second half 20th century
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