DESCRIPTION: | PHYSICAL DESCRIPTIONThis Safavid Brass “Astrological Dail porter around 17th century was made as a portion of the dialling page was probably part of an astrological clock. It was originally flat and rectangular, and three dials covered the blank areas the portion of a convex brass disc cut from the flat, rectangular base plate of an astronomical clock. Three blank circular areas with holes at their centres were once covered by dials. The remaining surface is engraved with figures against the ground with flowering plants and trees (below) or clouds (above). The decorated area is gilded, and the background is ring-matted. The surviving figures, from the top, are a personification of Saturn; two angels, which originally supported the two upper dials; a seated figure making a measurement with a compass from a mariner’s astrolabe, and his assistant (right); a seated figure using a planispheric astrolabe, and his assistant (left); a royal huntsman on horseback conversing with two servants on foot (right); a huntsman shooting an arrow at a fleeing lion, whose hindquarters only are visible (left); and, at the bottom, a Zodiac Man, This Safavid Brass “Astrological Dail porter around 17th century was made as a portion of the dialling page was probably part of an astrological clock. It was originally flat and rectangular, and three dials covered the blank areas. |
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