SIGNED MUHAMMAD BIN ZAKARIYA, SAFAVID IRAN, 17TH CENTURY

Details

A BRASS QIBLA INDICATOR
SIGNED MUHAMMAD BIN ZAKARIYA, SAFAVID IRAN, 17TH CENTURY
Of flat disk form with three round feet, the top engraved with naskh giving the names of pilgrimage sites in the Middle East, functioning needle, outer band alternated with letters, functioning compass in a hollow glazed cylinder, the top engraved with signature of the maker within a lobed cartouche, reverse engraved with further names of cities and letters
3 7/8in. (9.8cm.) diam.

Brought to you by

Louise Broadhurst

lbroadhurst@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2603

Lot Essay

Pocket size qibla indicators became particularly popular in Safavid Iran with the establishment of Twelver Shi'ism as the official religion of their empire. The sites on the top of our qibla indicator include Mecca and Medina and particular Shi'a sites such as Najaf, Karbala, Askarin, Kazemain, the Massumeh Shrine, the 'Abdul 'Azim shrine and Mashhad. The shape and design of our qibla indicator is uncommon. An equally refined, rectangular Safavid qibla indicator was sold at Sotheby's, London, 20 April 2016, lot 90.

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets

View All