Geomantic compass lid

Lid for the Chinese pocket compass. Painted characters on the inside of the lid read, 'Fu Zhang He Ang Xiao Zao'. This translates as, 'Manufactured by He Angxiao, Zhangzhou, Fujian Province'. He Angxiao is either a personal name or the brand-name of the maker or manufacturer. Zhangzhou, a prefecture of Fujian Province, was famous for geomancy and manufacturing geomantic compasses.

Object Details

ID: NAV0413.1
Type: Geomantic compass lid
Display location: Display - Traders Gallery
Creator: He Angxiao
Date made: circa 1900
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Diameter: 74 mm;Overall: 4 mm
Parts: Geomantic compass
  • Geomantic compass lid (NAV0413.1)