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An Unusual Novelty 'Ships Wheel' Miniature Silver Fob Compass
Sold by Jeff Sims Antiques
sold SA1235742
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jan 2010
Browse dealers 155 items
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    Antique silver, glass, jewellery and object de vertu.
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Id #SA1235742
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An Unusual Novelty 'Ships Wheel' Miniature Silver Fob Compass

19th century
Sold 21 October 2026 · Jeff Sims Antiques
This “Unusual Novelty 'Ships Wheel' Miniature Silver Fob Compass” found a buyer.

It was listed by Jeff Sims Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

A novelty silver mounted miniature Victorian compass. This delightful example if formed to look like a ship's wheel and is double sided, with a convex glass front and back, to magnify. There is an attaching ring to the top for a fob or chatelaine. A charming collector's item.

Postage & Packing

£10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£26.00 Outside Europe

£45.00 USA (including 10% tariff)

Condition :- Excellent with no dents, losses or splits. The interior is clean and the glass is not scratched.

Marks :- Clear and readable, with loss to the Maker's mark.

Date :- Birmingham 1897.

Height :- 2.2 cms. (to top of fixed attaching ring).

Diameter :- 1.8 cms.

Depth :- 0.7 cms.

Date of Manufacture

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Silver Ship Wheel Compass to the Victorian era.

Physical Dimensions
Height
2.2cm (0.87")
Width
1.8cm (0.71")
Depth
0.7cm (0.28")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1235742
Dealers Internal Reference
13971
Dealers Notes

Payment by BANK TRANSFER (preferred),DEBIT/CREDIT CARD, or PAYPAL. Great care is taken with packing and only 'signed for or tracked' postal options are used, where available. In the UK, Royal Mail Special Delivery is used, which is both fully insured against loss or damage and guaranteed next day (excluding weekends). If an item goes missing, or is damaged in the post, all available assistance will be offered to make a claim against the provider. Loss or damage in transit, is NOT the responsibility of the seller.

IMPORTANT PLEASE NOTE. Due to the imposition by some countries of an import tariff - an additional charge may be required to prepay tax duty. Please be aware of this if purchasing from overseas. If this additional charge is not acceptable, please do not proceed with the purchase.

Returns are accepted if the item has undisclosed damage at point of sale, or has been seriously mis-described. Buyer pays all costs. If you are not certain that you will be completely happy with the item, please do not purchase it. Care has been taken to ensure that items are accurately described and photographed - if any further information is required please ask.

PLEASE CONTACT ME TO PROVIDE CARD DETAILS OR REQUEST BANK DETAILS. PLEASE ADD POSTAGE FOR PAYPAL AND PRESS PAYPAL OPTION. If there is anything more we can do to help, please ask. We would like your experience with us to be a happy one and will always try to be accommodating.

Thank you for your interest.

Description
A novelty silver mounted miniature Victorian compass.
“
This delightful example if formed to look like a ship's wheel and is double sided, with a convex glass front and back, to magnify.
Jeff Sims Antiques

There is an attaching ring to the top for a fob or chatelaine. A charming collector's item.

fig 1. A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring.
fig 1. An Unusual Novelty 'Ships Wheel' Miniature Silver Fob Compass

Postage & Packing

£10.00 UK

£18.00 Europe

£26.00 Outside Europe

£45.00 USA (including 10% tariff)

Condition :- Excellent with no dents, losses or splits. The interior is clean and the glass is not scratched.

Marks :- Clear and readable, with loss to the Maker's mark.

Date :- Birmingham 1897.

Height :- 2.2 cms. (to top of fixed attaching ring).

Diameter :- 1.8 cms.

Depth :- 0.7 cms.

Date of Manufacture

Jeff Sims Antiques has dated this Silver Ship Wheel Compass to the Victorian era.

Height
2.2cm (0.87")
Width
1.8cm (0.71")
Depth
0.7cm (0.28")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1235742
Dealers Internal Ref
13971
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Jan 2010

Antique silver, glass, jewellery and object de vertu.

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Jeff Sims Antiques Profile Page

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A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. SOLD21 OCT 26
1 / 6
Archive I A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. SOLD21 OCT 26

An Unusual Novelty 'Ships Wheel' Miniature Silver Fob Compass

Archive II A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. View II
Archive III A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. View III
Archive IV A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. View IV
Archive V A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. View V
Archive VI A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring. View VI
Enlarged Archival View
Jeff Sims Antiques

Jeff Sims Antiques
Telephone 07711 373 683
Location
Suffolk,
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified Since Jan 2010
Items For Sale 155
Items Sold 4,501
Jeff Sims Antiques
Jeff Sims Antiques
Verified Since Jan 2010
View Dealer Info
Location: Suffolk,, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/jeffsims
Verified
Jan 2010
For Sale
155
Sold
4,501
A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring.
An unusual novelty 'ships wheel' miniature silver fob compass
Ref: SA1235742
A miniature silver fob compass designed in the shape of a ships wheel with a central directional needle and suspension ring.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectFob Compass
  • Period19th century
  • StyleVictorian Maritime
  • MaterialSilver, Glass
  • ColourSilver
  • MotifsShips wheel handles, Cardinal points, Circular suspension loop
  • SizeH 2.2 cm (1 in) x W 1.8 cm (1 in) x D 0.7 cm (0 in)

This Victorian novelty fob compass takes the form of a miniature ships wheel crafted from silver, complete with convex glass faces on both sides and a circular suspension loop at the top. The interior dial displays cardinal points along with decorative star motifs in black, red, and blue against a pale yellow background, while the outer silver casing incorporates four protruding rounded handles arranged symmetrically around the rim. Clear and readable hallmarks appear on the body, dating the piece to Birmingham in 1897, alongside a central dark blue directional needle visible through the transparent magnifier. The piece measures 2.2 cm high, 1.8 cm wide, and 0.7 cm deep. As an antique collector's item, this small maritime accessory works well displayed inside a gentleman's library cabinet or kept securely within a decorative curio collection as a tactile piece of Victorian design.

FAQs

A novelty ships wheel fob compass is a small directional instrument integrated into a decorative casing shaped like a vessels helm. These items were designed to attach to a Albert watch chain or key ring during the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Antique fob compasses were typically constructed using sterling silver or nickel silver casings, glass crystals, steel direction needles, and printed paper or metal dials featuring painted cardinal directions.

Authentic pieces usually display silver hallmarks or makers marks stamped on the casing or suspension ring. Natural age-related oxidisation, hand-painted dial details, and period-appropriate needle construction also indicate age.

These miniature pieces are frequently repurposed as decorative pendants on silver necklaces, integrated into charm bracelets, or added to modern watch chains and keyrings.

Clean the exterior silver gently using a soft jewellery polishing cloth, avoiding chemical dips that could seep behind the glass crystal. Keep the piece dry to prevent rust on internal metal components.
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