1611

Dutch East India Company ebony octant in painted wooden case with arms of Baron Clinton, ca. 1790.

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Maritime Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Dutch East India Company ebony octant in painted wooden case with arms of Baron Clinton, ca. 1790.
All items are genuine unless noted. Most shipwreck coins and artifacts come with a certificate of authenticity (please check the description for each item).
Dutch East India Company ebony octant in painted wooden case with arms of Baron Clinton, ca. 1790. 1 lb 6 oz, 11¾" x 9½". This elegant device was the forerunner to the modern sextant and was preceded by the quadrant and, before that, the astrolabe, all of which were used for measuring latitude from astronomical angles while on board a ship. We have offered octants in our previous two auctions (one of which sold for $4600), yet this specimen is superior to either of those by virtue of the fact that it is still housed in its original wooden case with the owner's crest painted in gold and red and green on the bottom. The octant itself is complete except for the sight and color shades. The ivory inlays (particularly the degree-board) are in perfect condition, and there is also an ivory peg in the middle that supposedly enclosed a marking pencil in the frame (the peg now frozen in place).