A rare 19th-Century Persian copper celestial globe, unsigned and undated, constructed in two hemispheres, no stars or constellations engraved on the surface, the celestial equator and ecliptic indicated by engraved bands graduated by single degrees with every fifth numbered in abjad letter numerals which repeat every 30o along both great circles, the six ecliptic latitude circles omitted, meridians at every 45o perpendicular to the equator colure, the two tropic circles at both the ecliptic and equatorial poles, and two circles outside and concentric with the equatorial polar circles.

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A rare 19th-Century Persian copper celestial globe, unsigned and undated, constructed in two hemispheres, no stars or constellations engraved on the surface, the celestial equator and ecliptic indicated by engraved bands graduated by single degrees with every fifth numbered in abjad letter numerals which repeat every 30o along both great circles, the six ecliptic latitude circles omitted, meridians at every 45o perpendicular to the equator colure, the two tropic circles at both the ecliptic and equatorial poles, and two circles outside and concentric with the equatorial polar circles.
The zodiacal houses labelled in double-outlined script within engraved circles, and Arabic labels indicating the north and south hemispheres, the ecliptic poles, the celestial equator, the ecliptic, the greatest distance of the ecliptic from the equator, the solstitial colure and the two tropics, in addition to these labels, the globe has the unusual feature of having engraved along the meridians enagular measurements written in abjad letter-numerals and the names of eight of the zodiacal signs with two sets of angular positions given for each, in the southern hemisphere the names of the seven planets plus 'the sphere of the zodiac'are inscribed, each with a set of angular co-ordinates apparently providing planetary positions.
The brass meridian ring engraved with numbering of each quadrant begining at the axis pins, soldered (ie: fixed but removable) to the horizon ring and stand of probably a later date, and possibly of Indian origin, with semi-circular undersupport and brass finial, raised on four slender octagonal section pillars from the base-ring engraved with stylised Islamic decoration, on four shaped feet - 11¾in.(29.8cm)high (one pillar defective)

Lot Essay

The inclusion of planetary positions makes the sphere unique among Islamic celestial globes studied so far and implies that its function was intended to be different from the classical celestial globe. The fact that the ecliptic and equator are incorrectly oriented with regard to the north and south hemispheres, as labelled on the sphere, further indicates that the maker either misunderstood the design of the celestial globe or meant it to serve a quite different but yet undetermined purpose. The metalwork and engraving of the globe is of high quality though the design is unconventional

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