<p>
	A sextant is a reflection instrument used in navigation to measure the angle between the sun or a star and the horizon. It was invented in 1757 as an improvement on <a href="http://www.antiques-in-france.com/antiquites/-/-/-/octants">Hadley&#39;s octant</a>.<br />
	The sextant is usually made of brass although a few can be found in silver or gold plate or even platinum.</p>