AN ENGRAVED BRASS CELESTIAL GLOBE WITH ARABIC INSCRIPTIONS
Early Qajar Iran, late 18th - early 19th century

Of spherical shape, finely engraved with Arabic inscriptions denoting constellations, stars and Zodiac signs, divided into celestial coordinates with meridian and equatorial rings, the inscriptions on the globe following the classical Islamic astronomical tradition with celestial bodies carefully labeled, mounted on a contemporary stand with an inclined equatorial ring and an hour ring.

31cm circumference and 18cm high with the stand

Provenance: Millon Auction Paris, France, 3 May 2018, lot 217, with an assessment and appraisal by the scientific instruments expert Eric Delalande.

Brass was a favoured material for scientific instruments, especially celestial globes, thanks to its durability, malleability, and resistance to corrosion, allowing artisans to engrave detailed star maps and celestial coordinates with precision. Its smooth surface and ability to maintain a polished finish over time made it ideal for long-lasting use in scientific instruments.

Celestial globes were built to represent the sky and track the movements of stars. Unlike terrestrial globes, these celestial globes depict the sky as viewed from Earth, with stars, constellations and celestial coordinates meticulously divided into sections marked on the surface. Islamic astronomers inherited and enhanced the knowledge passed down by the Greeks and Indians, laying the foundations of Islamic astronomy. These globes were therefore not only functional, but also symbolised the advanced intellectual pursuits of the Islamic world during the late Safavid and Qajar periods.