Eastern & Arabic Sundials
An array of 18th-20th century Eastern & Arabic sundials- Featuring Chinese Diptychs, Persian Equinoctial Dials, Chinese Miniature Ivory Diptychs, & an Ornate Chinese Bowl Sundial with compass.
Chinese Needham Diptychs (Type-A & B)
Wooden Diptych Sundial, Needham Type-A. Chinese-made, early 19th century.
Featured in the Adler Planetarium
Late 19th to early 20th century wooden Chinese Diptych, Needham Type-B.
Featured in the Adler Planetarium.
Ornate Chinese Folding Bowl Sundial & Compass
Unique Chinese folding bowl dial and compass. On Gold Vermeil, with lapis lazuli & seed pearl accents. Unfolds with a bowl sundial & compass (original glass).
Ottoman Sundial & Qibla Indicators
Antique 18th-19th century Ottoman Islamic brass Qibla indicator & sundial, of round form, & affix with suspension ring. The face engraved with toponyms in Arabic and zodiac symbols. The sundial component is mounted with the folded triangle - form gnomen and a swiveling pin.
This compass and sundial were used by the Muslim faithful to locate qibla, or sacred direction towards the Ka'aba in Mecca for sholat (prayers). The sundial component was used for determining the time and thus the correct time for sholat.
Ivory Arabic Diptych & Chinese Bowl Dial
Antique Chinese Ivory Sundials. Ivory items are not for sale. Descriptions from left to right.
Eastern Ivory Diptych: Dated 1776. (Additional Information Coming Soon.)
Chinese Bowl Dial: Small inlaid compass surrounded by the 12 Chinese earthly branches. Polychrome paint with traces of gilding. With original glass, top case, & functioning dial