Antique Persian Islamic Arabic Brass Qibla Mecca Zodiac Compass Astrolabe 1880 Decorative Arts accompanied by this comment: "We

accompanied by this comment: "We have no need for decorations in a country which no longer has the sense of honor"

signed & dated Firenze 1873

The painting had come from an important family collection in Genoa Italy dating back to at least the mid 19th century

Paper was rolled up to create small coils and then gilded or coloured to simulate metalwork

with a row of trees to one side & a fence to the other side of a pathway

Antique Persian Islamic Arabic Brass Qibla Mecca Zodiac Compass Astrolabe 1880 Decorative Arts accompanied by this comment: "WeA good antique 19th century Persian Islamic brass astrolabe compendium, circa 1880. This rare antique Islamic scientific instrument is made from engraved brass and is a compendium comprising an astrolabe, sundial and compass. The front is engraved with signs of the zodiac and degrees and Arabic calligraphy, the circular brass frame is in set with a compass and a hinged sundial gnomon shaped like a camel. Termed a Qibla, to find the sacred direction of