Compass

This simple Chinese magnetic compass dates from around 1850.

This small Chinese compass is made from wood, with an artificially-induced magnetic needle. This is protected by glass, and points to one of the 24 Chinese compass points surrounding the bearing pan.

The Chinese knew about the properties of magnets long before they were discovered in the West. Their directional compasses, however, always pointed south.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-308-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1861.716.132
• Date: Around 1850
  c. 1850
  
• Material: Compass, mariner's
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Compass, mariner's
  
• Subject: 9. NAVIGATION (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: China
  China, Chusan Island
  
• Event:
• Description: Mariner's compass, wanting a needle, and taken at Chusan Island, China, c. 1850
  
• References:
  • China: 7000 Years of Discovery, China's Ancient Technology, San Francisco, 1983, pp 21-22. 
  • Joseph Needham, Sceince and Civilisation in China vol. IV part 1, Cambridge, 1962, pp 249-269; 279-299. 
• Translations:
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