The compass, which enabled mariners to know the direction in which they were sailing, has always been one of the most important navigational instruments. This small compass is mounted in a turned wooden box. The card is hand-painted and is marked with the 32 points. The north point is decorated with a star and the east point with a cross. The other cardinal and semi-cardinal points are marked G, L, S, MO, P and M, and the centre of the card is decorated with an eagle.