An artificial horizon was designed to be used with a sextant in situations where a natural horizon was not visible; for instance, when the sextant was being used on land. This example, which is one of many different types of artificial horizon developed over the years, was patented in 1895 by Master Mariner Alfred Newey of Seacombe (no. 11,724). The device fitted in the telescope mount of a sextant. Two wires mounted on gimbals sat inside the cylindrical chamber and the observer knew that the sextant was level when the two wires were in line with a third wire mounted in front of the telescope lens. Instead of lining up the celestial body with the horizon, therefore, the observer lined it up with the line of the three wires.

The artificial horizon consists of a threaded brass telescope with an erect image, which is to be shipped in a sextant telescope bracket. The tube passes through a brass chamber containing two wires on gimbals, which when seen in one line with a third wire, mounted in front of the telescope lens, indicates that the instrument is held horizontally.

The artificial horizon is contained in a fitted wooden box with a trade label on the lid for H. Hughes and Son Ltd, 59 Fenchurch Street, London, and an instruction leaflet inside for the instrument.