Maker
Benjamin Rittenhouse(American, 1740–1825)American, 1740–1825
CultureAmerican
Titles
- Surveyor's Plain Compass
Datec. 1775
Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumBrass, steel, silvering, wax composition, and glass
Dimensions11 1/4 × 14 × 6 1/2 in. (28.6 × 35.6 × 16.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by Susan Neptune
Object numberB.2017.7
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Federal Parlor
Exposé
Explore Further
Department
Bayou BendObject Type
ProvenanceBy inheritance from his father to Richard White, Seeley Lake, Montana; [Jeffrey D. Lock, Colonial Instruments, Tallmadge, Ohio]; purchased by MFAH, 2017.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on lower arm below the dials South compass point: BENJ,ᴺ RITTENHOUSE
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
McAllister & Co.
c. 1836–1853
Brass, steel, wood, ivory, and sharkskin
B.2018.60.A-.I