Boat Compass, 19th century

A 19-century gimballed liquid boat compass in a copper carrying house with a built-in oil lamp manufactured by London's Dent & Co. This portable device is designed to be carried in a small boat launched from a ship. Liquid compasses were used as they would be more stable in the relatively unsteady environment of a small craft. The company is the maker of the world's most famous clock - Big Ben, and it is well-known through its supply of the Standard Clocks to Observatories from Europe to Asia throughout the 19th century.