Description
This nautical instrument is fashioned in the manner of those once carried aboard Her Majesty’s Ship Mary Rose (1511–1545). Forged from sturdy brass, it bears a large copper-plated compass set into the top, designed to offer sailors a steady point of reference amid the shifting seas. Beneath the compass, a slide-out 2x magnifier is carefully housed, intended for close examination of navigational charts and fine markings,an indispensable aid for any mariner navigating uncertain waters. The entire instrument is accompanied by a full leather carrying case, embossed on both top and bottom, and fastened with a robust snap to shield it from the harsh salt-laden air and rough handling common aboard ship.
Windlass Nautical honors the seafaring traditions of the Age of Sail by recreating instruments that reflect the craftsmanship and practicality of 16th-century maritime tools. Each piece is shaped by hands skilled in the traditional metalworking and leathercraft techniques familiar to armorers and shipwrights of Tudor England. The marriage of brass and copper was a practical choice, as these metals resist corrosion from salt spray while offering a durable and functional finish. These replicas stand as tangible links to the navigators and sailors who relied on such devices to chart unknown waters and bring their vessels safely home.
Fun Fact: When the Mary Rose was raised in 1982, among the many artifacts recovered was a delicate magnifying glass believed to have been used by navigators to read charts,an early example of the practical tools that aided Tudor sailors on their voyages.