Name/Title
CompassEntry/Object ID
GHS 625Description
Surveyor's compass in rectangular walnut case; brass base, glass covered dial, engraved steel or iron dial; two overlapping four-point stars designate the directional points of the compass; uppermost star is highly decorated, bearing ornate floral motifs; a fleur de lis points North; "Rittenhouse Philadelphia" is engraved on the lower portion of the dial. Engraved on dial, "Rittenhouse Philadelphia" in pencil on bottom of case, "Burnell Surveyor Cape May, N.J. About 50 years."Made/Created
Artist
by David Rittenhouse (1732-1796)Date made
1770 - 1790Dimensions
Width
5-1/2 inLength
13 inDimension Notes
Details: The compass is fitted in a walnut box (The dimensions of which are: L: 36.2cm. W: 18.6 cm. H: 10.4cm) with special clamps to hold it in place. Box has sliding glass cover. It may have had a wooden sliding cover at one time, now missing.Material
Brass, glass, iron, woodProvenance
Notes
GHS True Accession Book #625, "David Rittenhouse w. 1750-1790 in Philadelphia; was a scientist, astronomer, mathematician, and President of the American Philosophical Society (1791)."
