Ivory Parallel Rules, 19th-20th Centuries
Ivory Parallel Rules, 19th-20th Centuries
Usage conditions apply
- Description
- Parallel rules were part of a mariner’s basic navigational tool kit, along with dividers and a compass. This device was used for finding a ship’s bearing (compass direction), plotting a course and then transferring it to different sections of a ship’s navigational chart for wayfinding purposes. This pair is made of thin slices of ivory resembling piano keys in size and thickness. The metal hinge pieces are machined and turned.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- scrimshaw
- scrimshaw parallel ruler
- Object Type
- scrimshaws
- Other Terms
- scrimshaw; Maritime
- date made
- 19th-20th century
- Physical Description
- ivory (overall material)
- Measurements
- overall: 4 1/2 in x 1 1/4 in x 1/8 in; 11.43 cm x 3.175 cm x.3175 cm
- ID Number
- 1978.0052.09
- accession number
- 1978.0052
- catalog number
- 1978.52.9
- Credit Line
- From the collection of Dr. and Mrs. Wilbur J. Gould
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Maritime
- Cultures & Communities
- Scrimshaw
- Transportation
- Art
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
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