- 201
A Safavid horizontal dial and qibla indicator signed by 'Abd al-Aimmah, Persia, late 17th/early 18th century
Estimate
35,000 - 40,000 GBP
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Description
- brass and glass
rectangular brass plate on four riveted feet, with inset compass-box, engraved hour lines, place names, cardinal directions, meridian line, with signature in cartouche
Condition
In generally good condition, some discoloration to surface, underside with small patches of oxidisation, minor encrustation on glass compass-box, 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."
"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
inscriptions
signed as: sana'ahu 'abd al-aimmah
'Made by 'Abd al- Aimmah'
The upper face carries the hour lines for a horizontal dial counting from sunrise to sunset (Babylonian hours) numbered 1-14 in abjad numerals and with 30-minute divisions ending in trefoil leaves. Time is read from the tip of the shadow of a hinged pin-gnomon set on the meridian line beneath the compass-box. A degree arc in the top right corner is divided by 1° divisions 0-90° with every five degrees numbered in abjad. A narrow leaf-shaped pointer can be set against this scale to mark the inhirâf of a particular place, the value being derived from the table of thirty-eight named places, with their inhirâf, engraved along the edges of the instrument. The four cardinal directions are named, as is the meridian line. The compass retains its original needle in the form of a bird, characteristic of late Safavid and succeeding Persian instruments.
The layout and script of this instrument, although not identical, resemble very closely those on another instrument signed by 'Abd al-Aimma, fl. 1115 -1132 AH (1703/4-1719/20 AD), see Dominique & Eric Delalande, Cadrans solaires, Paris 2013, p.384, no.21.
signed as: sana'ahu 'abd al-aimmah
'Made by 'Abd al- Aimmah'
The upper face carries the hour lines for a horizontal dial counting from sunrise to sunset (Babylonian hours) numbered 1-14 in abjad numerals and with 30-minute divisions ending in trefoil leaves. Time is read from the tip of the shadow of a hinged pin-gnomon set on the meridian line beneath the compass-box. A degree arc in the top right corner is divided by 1° divisions 0-90° with every five degrees numbered in abjad. A narrow leaf-shaped pointer can be set against this scale to mark the inhirâf of a particular place, the value being derived from the table of thirty-eight named places, with their inhirâf, engraved along the edges of the instrument. The four cardinal directions are named, as is the meridian line. The compass retains its original needle in the form of a bird, characteristic of late Safavid and succeeding Persian instruments.
The layout and script of this instrument, although not identical, resemble very closely those on another instrument signed by 'Abd al-Aimma, fl. 1115 -1132 AH (1703/4-1719/20 AD), see Dominique & Eric Delalande, Cadrans solaires, Paris 2013, p.384, no.21.