A Chinese compass consisting of a bowl covered with glass and containing a dry-pivot needle, which points south. The north-south direction is indicated by a piece of metal over the glass. The character indicating South is red, while all other characters are black. The compass also has a lid. The lid and the bowl are painted red. Three Chinese characters on the lid of the compass read, 'Zheng Fu Yuan', which is probably the brand-name of the manufacturer.
Bowl- Diameter 4.5cm Painted white on inside. Glazed with brass line across glass. Chinese characters around verge are painted white except for South point which is red.
Needle- North seeking arrow-type with crude pivot cap at centre.
Pivot- Bare steel spike set in base of bowl.
The compass is mounted in a turned wooden box stained red with a loose lid.