Beam compass
Medium
Brass gilt
Dimensions
Length: 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Brass
Culture
German, Dresden
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of W. Gedney Beatty, 1941
Accession Number
41.160.721
Art Historical Context
Crafted in 1619 by Christopher Trechsler, a metalworker from Dresden,, this elegant beam compass the exquisite metalwork of early 17-century Europe. Measuring 11¼ inches in length, the instrument is fashioned from brass, meticulously gilded to achieve a luxurious golden sheen that highlights its intricate engravings and balanced proportions. As a tool for draftsmen, architects, and navigators, the beam compass allowed for drawing precise large circles by adjusting sliding points along a straight beam—a practical innovation in an era of expanding scientific inquiry and artistic ambition. Trech...