IRAN, DATED AH 1222/1807-8 AD

細節

AN EARLY QAJAR ENGRAVED BRASS PORTABLE QIBLA INDICATOR
Iran, dated AH 1222/1807-8 AD
Of rectangular form on four feet, the face with a central recess for a compass, a dial and quadrant below, four bold inscription cartouches above with elegant nasta'liq on a ground of scrolling vine, the interstices containing the signature of the maker and date, three sides with a border of inscription cartouches on a ring-pounced ground each containing the name of a city in Iran or the region, the reverse with a shaped panel divided into horizontal registers with panels containing the names of further smaller towns
5 x 4in. (12.5 x 9.9cm.)

注意事項

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

拍品專文

The inscription is a verse in Persian giving instructions for use:
khwahi be-har diyar qebleh shavad ashkar
khatt-e janub tabe'-e morghak bedeh qarar
madd-e alef agar bugzari bedan balad
an ru be-qebleh ast saken bedan diyar

(If you want the qibla [direction] be known from any land
Place the South line following the "little bird"
If you place the madd of the alif on the land [you are in]
That is the direction of the qibla for the resident in that land).
The interstices of the main inscription are inscribed:
The work of 'Ali al-Tabrizi, 1222