Octant

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An octant is a navigation instrument used for measuring angles necessary for determining a ship's course at sea. This example was made around 1795, probably by Gardner & Laurie, scientific instrument makers based in Glasgow.

The octant has an ebony frame with brass fitments and an ivory arc. The index arm has foliate decoration and is signed 'Gardner & Laurie/ Glasgow'. A number of parts are missing.

John Gardner had been James Watt's principal journeyman. He established his own business at Bell's Wynd in Glasgow in 1773 and James Lawrie joined him there in 1792. The partnership ended around 1798.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-102-769-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1980.180
• Date: Around 1795
  c. 1795
  
• Material: Ebony, ivory arc, brass fitments. Inscription: Gardner & Laurie / Glasgow
  
• Dimensions: 407 mm radius
  
• What:
• Subject:
• Who: Arthur Frank Collection of Scottish Scientific Instruments
  Gardner and Laurie, Glasgow (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: 16" octant with ebony frame, brass fitments and ivory arc, signed by Gardner and Laurie, Glasgow, c. 1795
  
• References:
  • Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C. Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1989. p 171,173 
  • T.N. Clarke, A.D. Morrison-Low and A.D.C. Simpson (1989): "Brass and Glass 
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