Wind Rose Collection

Map of Scandinavia, from Carta Marina, Sea Map by Olaus Magnus, 1539
Cartography, 16th century. Map of Scandinavia. From Carta Marina (Sea Map) by Olaus Magnus, 1539

Map of Cathay, China, from Catalan Atlas created for Charles V, King of France
Cartography, 14th century. Map of Cathay (China). From Catalan Atlas created for Charles V, King of France, attributed to Abraham and Jafuda Cresques Maiorca (circa 1375)

Analematic sundial (by projecting the shadow of the gnomon) for latitude 51 degrees, c.1697 (copper and steel)
MMM5469097 Analematic sundial (by projecting the shadow of the gnomon) for latitude 51 degrees, c.1697 (copper and steel); National Maritime Museum, London

Plan of Memel (present-day Klaipeda, Lithuania), during the surrender of the city, 27 June to 5 July 1757
MMM5482024 Plan of Memel (present-day Klaipeda, Lithuania), during the surrender of the city, 27 June to 5 July 1757. Etching water in 1764 colors.; National Maritime Museum, London

Astronomical compendium for unknown latitude, 17th century (brass)
MMM5475258 Astronomical compendium for unknown latitude, 17th century (brass); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Astronomical compendium for unknown latitude)

Portable horizontal sundial with magnetic compass Silver and ivory instrument, c.1650-1700 (silver and ivory)
MMM5474404 Portable horizontal sundial with magnetic compass Silver and ivory instrument, c.1650-1700 (silver and ivory); National Maritime Museum, London

Butterfield sundial Brass instrument, late 17th century, by Chapotot (?) (brass)
MMM5473359 Butterfield sundial Brass instrument, late 17th century, by Chapotot (?) (brass); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Butterfield sundial Brass instrument, late 17th century)

Atlantic coasts of Europe, Norway to Finisterre, 1666 (vellum)
7340461 Atlantic coasts of Europe, Norway to Finisterre, 1666 (vellum) by Comberford, Nicholas (d.1673); 79x27 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

The battle off the Isle of Wight on 4 August, 1588, c.1590 (coloured engraving)
7340031 The battle off the Isle of Wight on 4 August, 1588, c.1590 (coloured engraving) by Adams, Robert (1540-95) (after); 38x50 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Map of the journey of the Israelites, since their exit from Egypt, 1739 (engraving)
8822197 Map of the journey of the Israelites, since their exit from Egypt, 1739 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info)

Latitude 49 degree sundial and magnetic compass, with lid, 17th century (copper and ivory)
MMM5470060 Latitude 49 degree sundial and magnetic compass, with lid, 17th century (copper and ivory); National Maritime Museum, London

Sundial with lid, with gnomon mounted on the circle of hours, c.1700 (brass)
MMM5475190 Sundial with lid, with gnomon mounted on the circle of hours, c.1700 (brass); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Sundial with lid)

Rhodes and Symi (Greek islands) facing the Turkish coast
MMM5474179 Rhodes and Symi (Greek islands) facing the Turkish coast; National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Rhodes and Symi (Greek islands) facing the Turkish coast

The solar system.Theory of the seasons. 1865 (engraving)
8766902 The solar system.Theory of the seasons. 1865 (engraving); Private Collection; (add.info.: The solar system.Theory of the seasons.Engraved by J)

Plan of the Battle of Copenhagen (Denmark) (1801)
MMM5484862 Plan of the Battle of Copenhagen (Denmark) (1801); National Maritime Museum, London, UK; (add.info.: Plan of the Battle of Copenhagen (Denmark) (1801)

Atlantic Ocean, 5 degrees south to 57 degrees north, 1650 (vellum)
7340456 Atlantic Ocean, 5 degrees south to 57 degrees north, 1650 (vellum) by Comberford, Nicholas (d.1673); 71x24 cm; National Maritime Museum, London

Compass rose, 1645 (engraving)
8698330 Compass rose, 1645 (engraving) by Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673); (add.info.: Science. Meteorology. Compass rose or wind rose. Engraving in: Le theatre du monde, atlas by G)

Map of the Coast of Flanders, Normandy and England, 1580-81 (engraving)
7415458 Map of the Coast of Flanders, Normandy and England, 1580-81 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 32 -- 51.2 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Map of the English coast between the Isle of Wight and Dover, 1580-83 (engraving)
7415468 Map of the English coast between the Isle of Wight and Dover, 1580-83 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 32.5 -- 51.0 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Map of the South England coast between the Isle of Wight and Dover, 1580-83 (engraving)
7415466 Map of the South England coast between the Isle of Wight and Dover, 1580-83 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 32.5 -- 50.8 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Map part of the coast of Norway and Sweden, 1580-83 (engraving)
7415471 Map part of the coast of Norway and Sweden, 1580-83 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 33-- 51.5 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Map of the coast of Norway and Sweden between Merdoy and Uddevalla, 1580-83 (engraving)
7415469 Map of the coast of Norway and Sweden between Merdoy and Uddevalla, 1580-83 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 33 -- 51.5 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Map of the North coast of England near Newcastle upon Tyne, 1580-83 (engraving)
7415467 Map of the North coast of England near Newcastle upon Tyne, 1580-83 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 33 -- 51.3 cm; Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Map of the countries around the Arctic Circle with the three voyages of the Dutch in 1598, 1878 (litho)
7415818 Map of the countries around the Arctic Circle with the three voyages of the Dutch in 1598, 1878 (litho) by Doetechum, Baptista van (active 1583-1611) (after) ; 43.5 x 56.5 cm; Rijksmuseum

Map of the coast of Sweden between Kalmar and Stockholm, 1580-83 (engraving)
7415470 Map of the coast of Sweden between Kalmar and Stockholm, 1580-83 (engraving) by Doetecum, Joannes van (1530-1605); 33 -- 50.7 cm; Rijksprentenkabinet, Amsterdam

Wind rose from a maritime compass, 1596 (copper)
LRI3930753 Wind rose from a maritime compass, 1596 (copper) by Dudley, Robert (1574-1649); diam: 34 cm; Istituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Florence, Italy; Luisa Ricciarini; British

Navigation map by Visconte Maggiolo, 1504
Cartography, 15th century. Navigation maps created by Visconte Maggiolo, 1504

Map of Africa and South America by Domingo Sanchez, 1618
Cartography, 17th century. Map of Africa and South America by Domingo Sanchez, 1618

Ioannes Superantius, Portolan chart, wind rose, detail
Cartography, 16th century. Ioannes Superantius, Portolan chart, wind rose. Detail

Easter Island, from Travel Atlas by James Cook, 1774
Cartography, 18th century. Easter Island. From the Travel Atlas by James Cook, 1774

Mediterranean coast, from the Portolan Charts by Francesco Oliva, printed in Italy, 1611
Cartography, 17th century. Mediterranean coast. From the Portolan Charts by Francesco Oliva, 1611

Map of Southern America from Cosmographie by Andre Thevet, 1502-1590
Cartography, 16th century. Map of Southern America by Andre Thevet (1502-1590), Cosmographie

Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn with Catherine Island, insert From the Nautical Atlas by Gerard van Keulen
Cartography, 18th century. Strait of Magellan and Cape Horn with Catherine Island insert. From the Nautical Atlas hand-drawn by Gerard van Keulen, Amsterdam 1713

Cadastral map of area of Cazzano between Budrio and Manerbio Boncompagni, from Cadastre Land Register
Cartography, Italy, 17th century. Cadastral map of the area of Cazzano between Budrio and Manerbio. Boncompagni cadastre (land register). Mixed media on paper. 43 x 64 cm

Map of Rio de Janeiro by Jacques Van de Claye, 16th Century
Cartography, Brazil, 16th century. Map of Rio de Janeiro on canvas by Jacques Van de Claye

The mouth of the Orinoco River, Venezuela, 1720
Cartography. Venezuela, 18th century. The mouth of the Orinoco River, 1720

Topographic map of Porretta County, Ranuzzi fiefdom, mixed media on paper, 1720
Cartography, Italy, 18th century. Topographic map of Porretta County, a Ranuzzi fiefdom, 1720. Mixed media on paper. 60 x 120 cm

The Arabian Peninsula by Gaspar Viegas, printed in Lisbon, 1537
Cartography, 16th century.The Arabian Peninsula from a 12 map atlas by Gaspar Viegas, Lisbon, 1537

Map of Central and Southern America, 1550
Cartography, 16th century. Map of Central and Southern America, 1550

Map of Western Europe, North-western Africa and Atlantic Ocean, from Catalan Atlas created for Charles V
Cartography, 14th century. Map of Western Europe, North-western Africa and Atlantic Ocean. From Catalan Atlas created for Charles V, King of France, attributed to Abraham and Jafuda Cresques Maiorca

The island of Jamaica, 1656
Cartography, 17th century. The island of Jamaica, 1656

Easter Island, from drawing by Francisco Aguera, 1770
Cartography, 18th century. Easter Island. From a drawing by Francisco Aguera, a Spanish Naval Officer, 1770

Wind rose from Andrea Bianco, Nautical Atlas, 1436
Cartography, Italy, 16th century. Wind rose from Andrea Bianco, Nautical Atlas, 1436. Detail

Map of rural road system and minor waterways in Panzano and Recovato between Castelfranco and Nonantola, Modena
Cartography, Italy, 18th century. Map of the rural road system and minor waterways in Panzano and Recovato between Castelfranco and Nonantola, Modena, 1774. Mixed media on paper. 44 x 73 cm

Horizontal Sundial with Wind Rose
Horizontal plane sundial from the Roman city of Aquileia (2nd century AD). The dial is formed by eleven hour lines, the shortest of which is the noon line which runs from north to south

Compass Ros
Israel. Haifa, Dado Beach, Compass Rose

The 50m diameter Wind Rose charts Portuguese discoveries close to the Hieronymites Monastery, Belem, Lisbon, Portugal, Europe

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

The wind rose, a symbol of navigation and exploration, has been depicted in various maps throughout history. One such example is the Map of Scandinavia from Carta Marina, created by Olaus Magnus in 1539. This intricate sea map showcases the Scandinavian region with its detailed coastlines and cities. Another fascinating portrayal can be found in the Map of Cathay, China, which was part of the Catalan Atlas crafted for Charles V, King of France around 1375. This ancient map attributed to Abraham and Jafuda Cresques Maiorca provides insight into how China was perceived during that time period. Moving on to South America, we encounter a highly detailed hand-drawn map within the outline of this vast continent. Complete with a compass rose and marking the equator, this depiction offers valuable geographical information about Brazil. Engravings also played a significant role in capturing coastal regions like Flanders, Normandy, England's Isle of Wight to Dover stretch as well as parts of Norway and Sweden. These engravings from between 1580-83 showcase meticulous cartographic work that aided sailors navigating these treacherous waters. Further north lies Newcastle upon Tyne along England's North coast near which Dutch voyages were documented on a map highlighting countries surrounding the Arctic Circle in 1598 litho print. This particular representation sheds light on early Dutch explorations amidst icy terrains. Lastly, we come across yet another engraving showcasing Sweden's coastline between Kalmar and Stockholm dating back to 1580-83. The attention to detail allows us to visualize maritime routes taken during that era. Throughout history, wind roses have served as essential tools for mariners seeking direction at sea. A copper-made maritime compass from 1596 beautifully captures one such wind rose design used by seafarers during their voyages across uncharted waters.