Chinese Wooden Compass, 19th Century

This curious article is a Chinese compass made of solid wood in the 19th century. Small in size and delicately manufactured, this compasss surface is profusely decorated with Chinese ideograms on the front and the back. The ideograms have been handwritten by an expert in calligraphy, and as well as being in excellent condition this piece is remarkable because of its perfect working order. At the front the compass is flat while the back shows a slightly convex shape, just like a plate or a bowl. Just in the center of the front the compass bears a circular metal piece with the mobile needle.If there is something remarkable in this rare compass is the great number of ideograms in two different colors (located in separated boxes) that cover its front. They were surely performed by a master of calligraphy, something evident because of their beautiful making. The ideograms seem to be engraved in the wood and painted, as they show a slight relief on the woods surface. The same happens with the lines that divide the wood and locate the symbols in different boxes. Though the vast majority of the ideograms are painted black, in one of the concentric rows there are several red symbols.If we turn the compass we will discover more black handwritten ideograms that cover its back. In this case the symbols are only written and not engraved in the wood. The lines of the grid where the symbols are located are engraved though; they create a perfect square with eight ideograms on each side (sixty four in total). There are two Chinese inscriptions, one at each side of the grid. The compass keeps its original finish, an amber-colored varnish that even showing the logical signs of the trace of time has survived to our days in good condition.This compass will surely be the ideal piece for any collector of rare oriental antiques or any lover of exotic and special devices.Measurements: 100 mm diameter.