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A Zand Qibla-Indicator with Compass Persia, dated AH [1]182/AD 1768 image 1
A Zand Qibla-Indicator with Compass Persia, dated AH [1]182/AD 1768 image 2
Lot 96

A Zand Qibla-Indicator with Compass
Persia, dated AH [1]182/AD 1768

8 October 2013, 10:30 BST
London, New Bond Street

£6,000 - £8,000

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A Zand Qibla-Indicator with Compass
Persia, dated AH [1]182/AD 1768

Of octagonal form, with inset magnetic compass, the pointer in the form of a feather, with brass pyramidal pivot and glass plate, the brass ring over the rim of the compass with degree circle numbered in abjad numerals and cardinal points, the folding triangular gnomon supported by a decorative open-work motif, the silver octagonal box inscribed to top, sides and bottom, the lid secured by a hook fastener
4.9 cm. diam.

Footnotes

Inscriptions:
Top: Qur'an, sura XL, Ghafir, part of verse 44.
Sides: a prayer
Bottom: Qur'an, sura XL, Ghafir, continuation of verse 44.

From the Safavid period in Persia there was considerable interest in all aspects of the sacred direction or qibla. The resulted in the proliferation of pocket size qibla boxes with a magnetic compass and a gazetter giving the qiblas of a number of locations mainly in Iran.

On Persian gazetteers and qibla-indicators see King, World-Maps Centred on Mecca, pp. 128-193.

For a similar example see Sotheby's, Arts of the Islamic World, 9th April 2008, lot 207.

Additional information