A solid silver English miniature pocket compass, made by the Victorian silversmith Lewis Nightingale, and hallmarked for London 1897. The compass has a sterling silver case, bevelled glass, English bar needle with a jewelled pivot, and a push-button transit lock. This compass would originally have been part of a barometer, compass, and thermometer compendium set, which would have been sold with all three instruments presented in a fitted morocco leather case. (photos of an identical compass, in a set made by Lewis Nightingale in 1895, can be seen at vavasseur-antiques.com/portfolios/scarce-miniature-silver-pocket-barometer-compendium-nightingale/)
Condition
The compass is in good condition, full working order and finds North well. The solid silver case is in very good condition, with good clear hallmarks. The marks for Lewis Nightingale, 1897, sterling silver, and London are all easily legible. The original bevelled glass is in good condition, with some signs of wear and a few scratches. The compass card and bar needle are in very good condition. The transit lock is fully functional
Dimensions: 23mm diameter (35mm including loop)
Lewis Nightingale: was an English silversmith working in Clerkenwell, London during the late Victorian period. Known as a maker of fine quality silver cases for barometers and compasses, his maker's mark was registered in 1894.
