.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
INSCRIPTIONS:
Signature cartouche: ana'ahu 'abd al-aimmah 'made by 'Abd al-Aimmah'
This instrument combines two key functions vital for the proper performance of prayer. The diagonal lines running across the plate indicate the ‘equal hours’, which could be calculated using the gnomon adjacent to the compass. Next to that, the top corner is given over to a quadrant with ninety degrees marked on it in abjad numerals, which could be used to indicate the qibla direction. The fact that this is in the south-west corner confirms the stylistic evidence which suggests that this device was made for use in Iran, which lies to the north-east of Mecca.
A very similar example can be seen in the Khalili collection (Francis Maddison and Emilie Savage-Smith, Science Tools and Magic: Part One, Oxford, 1997, no.163, p.274). 'Abd al-A’immah is known from his signature appearing on other scientific instruments: his signature survives on an example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which bears the date 1715 (inv.458-1888), as well as an undated pocket sundial in the Science Museum, London (inv.1894-111).
Signature cartouche: ana'ahu 'abd al-aimmah 'made by 'Abd al-Aimmah'
This instrument combines two key functions vital for the proper performance of prayer. The diagonal lines running across the plate indicate the ‘equal hours’, which could be calculated using the gnomon adjacent to the compass. Next to that, the top corner is given over to a quadrant with ninety degrees marked on it in abjad numerals, which could be used to indicate the qibla direction. The fact that this is in the south-west corner confirms the stylistic evidence which suggests that this device was made for use in Iran, which lies to the north-east of Mecca.
A very similar example can be seen in the Khalili collection (Francis Maddison and Emilie Savage-Smith, Science Tools and Magic: Part One, Oxford, 1997, no.163, p.274). 'Abd al-A’immah is known from his signature appearing on other scientific instruments: his signature survives on an example in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, which bears the date 1715 (inv.458-1888), as well as an undated pocket sundial in the Science Museum, London (inv.1894-111).