A Celestial Globe, Unsigned, Undated, in the Style of the Instrument School of Lahore, Pakistan, 17th/18th Century

Pitting and patination, overall in good condition, as viewed.
"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."

This elegant little sphere with its careful astronomical markings is typical of the productions of the Lahore school of the 17th century. Only the basic astronomical markings are featured, that is, the equator and the ecliptic, and the solstitial circles parallel to the equator as well as the great circles corresponding to the signs of the zodiac. There are markers for about one dozen bright stars, mainly in the northern sky, but there are no constellation figures. The small protrusions at the celestial poles would have fit into a vertical meridian scale, itself attached to a horizontal scale, so that the combination could have been set for the local latitude. In this way, the instrument would represent the local configuration of the sky with respect to the local horizon and meridian.

Bibliography: Sarma, "Lahore Astrolabists", and Savage-Smith, Islamicate Celestial Globes.