Watch List notes:

British ebony, brass and ivory octant by Brown (Cardiff, Wales), late 1700s-early 1800s. 780 grams, roughly 11" x 9" x 3". This navigational device was used to measure astronomical angles and therefore was most useful to sailors who needed to know latitudes. After the astrolabe came the quadrant, which by definition measured a quarter circle, but that device was cumbersome and came to be replaced with the octant (or reflecting quadrant), which utilized mirrors to get quarter-circle measurement from a device that was, in effect, only one-eighth of a circle. Technical specifications aside, this piece consists of an ebony frame with ivory inlays showing a measuring scale and the maker's name and city, with brass index arm, mounts for the glass lens and main mirror and three swiveling windows, brass legs and ivory inlay on back (the latter with numbers scratched in), everything apparently intact and in working order, but of course more of interest to us as just a naval antique.

Estimate: $600 - 900