brass body of circular form, hinged lid with small suspension loop, opening to reveal openwork leafy design with pointer and small hinge, the base incised with names of various localities, further engraved throughout with inscriptions, punched details and central floral motifs

In good condition, some rubbing to surface as consistent with age and use, minor areas with oxidisation, very small dent to bottom edge, missing the compass, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions:
Two Persian couplets instructing how to use the compass to find the qibla

The qibla, or sacred direction towards the Ka'ba in Mecca, was particularly researched in Safavid Persia during the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. More treatises on the determination of the qibla were compiled and more instruments for finding the qibla were constructed under the Safavids than in any period of Muslim history. Whilst some highly sophisticated instruments, such as world-maps centred on Mecca and fitted with grids preserving direction and distance to the centre, were made in Safavid Persia (the inspiration was a good five centuries older), simpler instruments, such as this compass, showing the qibla for specific localities were also popular and much more widespread (See King 1999, esp. pp.134-8 and 545). This particular qibla indicator includes cities such as Mecca, Medina, Najaf and Kerbala.