Navigation c. 1590 - 1596

Editor: So, here we have a… well, it's described as 'Navigation', dated around 1590-1596, artist unknown. It’s made of carved wood and metal, sitting here in the Rijksmuseum. It feels both familiar and incredibly ancient, like a relic of some forgotten technology. What do you make of it? Curator: Forgotten technology…I like that. It makes me wonder about journeys across uncharted seas, relying on instruments like this. Look at the precision in the carving and the geometry of the metal arm. Does it strike you as purely functional? I can almost hear the creak of wood, smell the sea air… Do you get that, or is it just me getting carried away? Editor: No, no, I totally see that! But what was it *for*? It seems so basic, and yet somehow... elegant. Curator: That's the real kicker, isn't it? To create something both utterly practical *and* visually compelling. Imagine the countless calculations represented in this object. Think about the mind that conceived it! Also, notice how the lines interact. It almost dances! But getting back to my first impression: don’t you find it haunting, to think of it guiding ships through storms centuries ago? Editor: Absolutely. It's amazing to think that something so simple helped explorers find new worlds. It gives me chills to think how a beautiful object embodies this knowledge that changed history. Thanks for pointing it out! Curator: My pleasure! Every object has a story to tell if you’re willing to listen – even the slightly rusty, wonderfully geometric ones.