One of the true rarities in the collection of nautical antiques is a marine instrument that can be linked to the China Trade. This fine early brass sextant, circa 1850, is cased in a very well fashioned teak case inlaid with ebony and other exotic woods with the owner's name, 'G. ROD', stars, a heart pierced by an anchor and cross, and a central decorative design. The economy of New England's coastal states in the first half of the nineteernth century was built upon American ships, and the great adventure of their officers, crews, and traders sailing to China and the East for tea and other exotoic items to bring back to the United States. It was a dangerous enterprise. Teak is an East Asian hardwood similar in some ways to mahogany but more durable in a salt water environment, and more resistant to voracious Asian sea and airborn fauna. Thus teak became an important structural material in shipbuilding and was also used for cabin furniture. Ship captains and officers owned their own nautical instruments such as sextants and telescopes. Sextants were complex and expensive instruments which with proper usage allowed one to find their latitude at sea. Most of these instruments were made in England and they can be found with both British and American retailer's signatures. They initally came in well made oak or mahogany cases and since they were very well cared for - sailors lives depended on these instruments - numbers of them survive in their maker's/retailer's cases. 'G. ROD' must have thought highly of his sextant to have a special brass mounted Teak case for it made in a Chinese Treaty Port, or on the Coromandel Coast of teak and inlaid with his name and a beautiful heart pierced with anchor and cross....perhaps this case was a gift to him from an admirer. During the first half of the nineteenth century the brass framed sextant was developed as an improvement over traditional ebony framed instruments. The early brass models, like this one, at first copied the design of the ebony framed models. This sextant bears the marking of, 'Graham & Parkes, Liverpool' who were also well known chronmeter makers. The instrument is in fine condition with original patinated finish - even the two original mirrors are in reasonably good condition. The impressive inlaid case shows genuine use and retains its original finish with excellent patina. A rare, historical, and handsome piece for the collector of China Trade and/or marine antiques.
Dimensions: case width 11", height 11", depth 4 3/4"; sextant width 8 3/4" height 9 3/4".
Price: $1375.00
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