D8573-1

Inclining dial Long Caption: Inclining dial for latitudes 0°-60° North. All the markings are in Arabic. Set into the base-plate, the compass has an eight-point rose and a degree scale numbered with 'abjad' numerals. The needle can be locked by a radial brass arm that is operated by a lever on the outside of the instrument. A leaf-shaped brass pointer acts as a 'qibla' indicator. On the rim of the base-plate is a list of 19 places in the Middle East with their latitudes, 'inhirafs' and 'jihas', that is continued on the underside of the hour-circle. Hinged to the North side of the base-plate is an hour-circle numbered in Turkish numerals, on which the gnomon is supported by circular arcs. The latitude arc is hinged to the East side of the dial-plate and has a degree scale numbered by Turkish numerals. The sides of the base-plate are inscribed with a Persian poem about constellations and the position of the 'qibla' and the centre of the reverse side is marked with a text. Credit line: © National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London Object: AST0353 Artist: unknown Date: 1750-1800 Medium: gilt-brass; brass; glass Size: 24 mm x 94 mm Click here to buy a bespoke print of this image.