Tools - Quadrant in Case
circa 1800 (Date manufactured/created)
Wood (Ebony?), Metal (Brass), Wood (Oak), Ivory
John Wilcox used this quadrant on his voyages from Madison to New York and the Connecticut River in the early 1800's to about 1860. A quadrant was a forerunner of the sextant and measured the altitude of heavenly bodies for navigation.
Brass and ivory fitted ebony frame with the maker's name and compass degrees engraved on ivory set into the frame. Colored glass filters used in the sighting device. Quadrant fits into oak box with partial label of William Davenport, instrument dealer in Philadelphia. Cut side of box is painted yellow and has faint traces of a star and "JOHN WILCOX" painted on it. Made by Spencer, Browning & Rust, London England c. 1800. OH 3 1/2"; OL 15"; OW 13 3/4".
Brass and ivory fitted ebony frame with the maker's name and compass degrees engraved on ivory set into the frame. Colored glass filters used in the sighting device. Quadrant fits into oak box with partial label of William Davenport, instrument dealer in Philadelphia. Cut side of box is painted yellow and has faint traces of a star and "JOHN WILCOX" painted on it. Made by Spencer, Browning & Rust, London England c. 1800. OH 3 1/2"; OL 15"; OW 13 3/4".
79.680.1-.2