- 199
An unusual Ottoman compass and universal equatorial sundial dated 1182 Hijra [= 1769/70]
Description
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Set in the circular base of this instrument is a compass with the eight principal winds / directions labelled in a mixture of Arabic and Turkish. Significant are the terms qibla for the south wind, and jibâlî, "from the mountains", for the north wind. Attached to this is an equatorial sundial: the ring can be tilted in the plane of the celestial equator using a vertical latitude scale, and the gnomon flipped into the perpendicular to that plane. Inside the ring, the hours are divided into three equal intervals (that is, for each 20 minutes). On one side of the meridian bar joining the bottom of the ring to the base of the gnomon is the date 1182 Hijra [= 1769/70]. This date is written in Arabic numerals, but all other numbers on the scales are in European numerals (with a dot for zero adopted from the Arabic!). On the other side are three Arabic words in a phrase that appears to make no sense: ??? fasarâ wa-imâm. When not in use, the ensemble can be covered with a rather extravagant lid.
Bibliography: See King, World-Maps, pp. 292-297, on this kind of sundial, albeit in the Iranian context, and ibid., pp. 109-124, 205-207, and 282-284, as well as King, In Synchrony with the Heavens, II, pp. 94-95, on the compass in Islamic instrumentation.