Skip to main content
Advanced Search
19th Century Ebony and Ivory Octant
19th Century Ebony and Ivory Octant

19th Century Ebony and Ivory Octant

Datec 1800
Object number00029477
NameOctant
MediumEbony, ivory, brass, glass
DimensionsOverall: 80 x 333 x 406 mm, 1.15 kg
ClassificationsTools and equipment
Credit LineANMM Collection Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionOctant, used for navigation, circa 1800. Octants could be used for both Sun and Star observations provided the horizon was visible. It was more accurate at measuring lunar distances than the fore-staff which was available prior to its introduction.HistoryAn octant is a portable instrument that uses a small mirror to bring two images together, those of the sun and the horizon, for instance, to determine latitude at sea by observing the altitude of celestial bodies. It has an arc of 45 degrees or more that measures angles of 90 degrees or more. John Hadley described an instrument of this sort to the Royal Society of London in 1731 and obtained a British patent in 1734, and so octants are sometimes known as Hadley quadrants. They were still in use in the early twentieth century. Early octants have mahogany frames and boxwood scales read by diagonals. Those made after around 1800 have ebony frames, brass index arms, and ivory scales read by verniers. Although early examples were large, heavy, and costly, Ramsden's invention of the dividing engine in 1777 led to the production of smaller and less expensive instruments. This octant was manufactured in London circa 1800 and resold in the United States. The maker is unknown. SignificanceThe development of the octant meant a vast improvement in the use of navigational instruments at sea.