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A PORTABLE VERTICAL SUNDIAL OF THE “LOCUST LEG TYPE MADE FOR MALIK AL-ADIL ABU MUZAFFAR IMAD AL-DI
1/5
Auctioneer has chosen not to publish the price of this lot
Hattemerbroek
Description
This “locust leg” pocket sundial, made for the Zangid ruler Malik al-Adil Abu Muzaffar Imad al-Din, the famous Turkoman commander known for his known his accomplishments surrounding the Fall of Edessa in 1144, was previously unknown to literature. The instrument is very similar to the exemplar made for the son of Imad al-Din, Nur al-Din Zangi, and which is now kept at the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris (International Instrument Checklist #7315). Both instruments are signed by Abu’l Faraj Isa . Previously the Paris instrument was known as the earliest surviving sundial from Islamic Egypt and Syria. Since this instrument is attributed to the father, this instrument is now the oldest known sundial from Islamic Egypt and Syria. Physical Description The instrument which is a vertical rectangular flat board made of brass, is 52 mm by x 79 mm (without the throne) in size. It is small enough to fit the palm of ones hand, which might explain the name “locust leg” due to its “humble” size.The instrument has six slots in the throne to which a gnomon could be fitted. The gnomon is missing. The throne does not have suspension ring either, although the whole for it seems to be present.The inscription on the front reads: ????? ????????? ?????? ???? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ??? ????? ???? Al-Malik al- ‘Adil Abu Muzaffar Imad al-Din.Li-ma’rifat al-Sa’at al-Zamaniyya.Sana’ahu Abu’l-Faraj Isa. While the inscription on the reverse reads: ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?? [on the instrument erronously ?????? ] Ma’rifat Sa’at al-Zamaniyya Li-‘Arz LJ (33, Damascus) It is interesting to note that both instruments (Paris and ours) feature some misspellings and errors in the inscriptions and scales of the instrument (which are “silently corrected” in the Paris BNF Instrument catalogue. See, Turner 2018, p.188). For example, our instrument seems to miss the letter lam connected to the word sa’at in the inscription on the reverse. Perhaps the maker was not an native speaker of Arabic. The instrument has no date. But inferring from the fact that Imad al-Din, the father died in 1146 and that the Paris instrument is dated 1163/64 [ AH 559], the instrument must be at least 18 years older. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONThe instrument is a portable vertical sundial of the type known as “locust’ leg” in medieval Islamic literature. The name is probably inspired by the story of Salomo, to whom all animal presented a gift, and ants presented him a “locust’ leg”, which he accepts, despite being a “humble present”. It is also probably due to this story that in Islamic culture the term “locust’ leg” is known as a humble gift. The earliest descriptions of how to make such an instrument appear in the work on astronomical instruments authored by the 13th century astronomer al-Marrakushi. The instrument is technically equivalent to the cylindrical sundial where the markings are “wrapped” around a cylinder. The instrument features a gnomon which is mounted perpendicular on the instrument on top of the graph engraved on the instrument. The gnomon is moved according to the date by means of slots which make it possible to change the position of the gnomon horizontally along the line with slotholes. Curved hour-lines and declination scales are engraved on both sides of the instrument. Each of the columns correspond to a astronomical sign ( i.e Aries, Taurus) which are labeled in Arabic in a double row at the bottom of the instrument. The curved hour lines are labeled in abjad notation. Each sign is divided into three parts of 10 degrees intervals It is interesting to note that, while the Paris instrument has on each side markings for a different latitude, this instrument has the same engraving on both sides. This might explain also the reason why there is only latitude inscription on the instrument, which is at the end of the inscription on the reverse ( LJ : 33 degrees, Damascus). USE OF THE INSTRUMENTThe instrument is suspended perpendicular to the ground perpendicularly such that the gnomon pointed towards to the sun. LITERATUREGeneral information on the history of the “Locust Leg” in the medieval: François Charette, Mathematical Instrumentation in Fourteenth Century Egypt and Syria: The Illustrated Treatise of Najm al-Din al- Mi?r?. Brill, Leiden 2003. For a detailed analysis of the Paris instrument, see: Paul Casanova, “La Montre du Sultan Noûr ad dîn l’Hégire = 1159-1160) Syria”, Revue d’Art Oriental et d’Archeologie (Paris), Reprint: Islamic Mathematics and Astronomy series, Vol. 88, Frankfurt 1998, pP. 242-262. Anthony Turner, Silke Ackermann & Taha Yasin Arslan, Mathematical Instruments in the Collections of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, BNF Éditions / Brepols, London / Turnhout 2018
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This “locust leg” pocket sundial, made for the Zangid ruler Malik al-Adil Abu Muzaffar Imad al-Din, the famous Turkoman commander known for his known his accomplishments surrounding the Fall of Edessa in 1144, was previously unknown to literature. The instrument is very similar to the exemplar made for the son of Imad al-Din, Nur al-Din Zangi, and which is now kept at the Bibliotheque Nationale in Paris (International Instrument Checklist #7315). Both instruments are signed by Abu’l Faraj Isa . Previously the Paris instrument was known as the earliest surviving sundial from Islamic Egypt and Syria. Since this instrument is attributed to the father, this instrument is now the oldest known sundial from Islamic Egypt and Syria. Physical Description The instrument which is a vertical rectangular flat board made of brass, is 52 mm by x 79 mm (without the throne) in size. It is small enough to fit the palm of ones hand, which might explain the name “locust leg” due to its “humble” size.The instrument has six slots in the throne to which a gnomon could be fitted. The gnomon is missing. The throne does not have suspension ring either, although the whole for it seems to be present.The inscription on the front reads: ????? ????????? ?????? ???? ??????????? ??????? ???????????? ??? ????? ???? Al-Malik al- ‘Adil Abu Muzaffar Imad al-Din.Li-ma’rifat al-Sa’at al-Zamaniyya.Sana’ahu Abu’l-Faraj Isa. While the inscription on the reverse reads: ????? ??????? ???????? ???? ?? [on the instrument erronously ?????? ] Ma’rifat Sa’at al-Zamaniyya Li-‘Arz LJ (33, Damascus) It is interesting to note that both instruments (Paris and ours) feature some misspellings and errors in the inscriptions and scales of the instrument (which are “silently corrected” in the Paris BNF Instrument catalogue. See, Turner 2018, p.188). For example, our instrument seems to miss the letter lam connected to the word sa’at in the inscription on the reverse. Perhaps the maker was not an native speaker of Arabic. The instrument has no date. But inferring from the fact that Imad al-Din, the father died in 1146 and that the Paris instrument is dated 1163/64 [ AH 559], the instrument must be at least 18 years older. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONThe instrument is a portable vertical sundial of the type known as “locust’ leg” in medieval Islamic literature. The name is probably inspired by the story of Salomo, to whom all animal presented a gift, and ants presented him a “locust’ leg”, which he accepts, despite being a “humble present”. It is also probably due to this story that in Islamic culture the term “locust’ leg” is known as a humble gift. The earliest descriptions of how to make such an instrument appear in the work on astronomical instruments authored by the 13th century astronomer al-Marrakushi. The instrument is technically equivalent to the cylindrical sundial where the markings are “wrapped” around a cylinder. The instrument features a gnomon which is mounted perpendicular on the instrument on top of the graph engraved on the instrument. The gnomon is moved according to the date by means of slots which make it possible to change the position of the gnomon horizontally along the line with slotholes. Curved hour-lines and declination scales are engraved on both sides of the instrument. Each of the columns correspond to a astronomical sign ( i.e Aries, Taurus) which are labeled in Arabic in a double row at the bottom of the instrument. The curved hour lines are labeled in abjad notation. Each sign is divided into three parts of 10 degrees intervals It is interesting to note that, while the Paris instrument has on each side markings for a different latitude, this instrument has the same engraving on both sides. This might explain also the reason why there is only latitude inscription on the instrument, which is at the end of the inscription on the reverse ( LJ : 33 degrees, Damascus). USE OF THE INSTRUMENTThe instrument is suspended perpendicular to the ground perpendicularly such that the gnomon pointed towards to the sun. LITERATUREGeneral information on the history of the “Locust Leg” in the medieval: François Charette, Mathematical Instrumentation in Fourteenth Century Egypt and Syria: The Illustrated Treatise of Najm al-Din al- Mi?r?. Brill, Leiden 2003. For a detailed analysis of the Paris instrument, see: Paul Casanova, “La Montre du Sultan Noûr ad dîn l’Hégire = 1159-1160) Syria”, Revue d’Art Oriental et d’Archeologie (Paris), Reprint: Islamic Mathematics and Astronomy series, Vol. 88, Frankfurt 1998, pP. 242-262. Anthony Turner, Silke Ackermann & Taha Yasin Arslan, Mathematical Instruments in the Collections of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, BNF Éditions / Brepols, London / Turnhout 2018
THE QURAN, THE ART OF HAJJ AND ISLAMIC ART AUCTION 2022
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Lots: 231
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Hattemerbroek
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ORIENTAL ART AUCTIONS B.V. - CONDITIONS OF SALE
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1 APPLICABILITY
1.1 The present Conditions of Sale are applicable to all parts of the relationship between the Oriental Art Auctions and the Buyer, which include a particular sale, purchase, intermediary services, appraisals, evaluations, estimates, cataloguing, and custody. The term 'Buyer' includes the 'Intending Buyer' who participates in the auction.
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2.1 Catalogue descriptions and any written or oral information given by the Specialist are to the best of his/her knowledge.
2.2 Prior to the sale the Buyer should satisfy him/herself as to both the condition and the accuracy of the description of any item in the internet catalogue or on the lot list by personally examining said item thoroughly or by having said item inspected carefully and expertly in order to form his/her own opinion as to the degree of correspondence between the item and its description. The Buyer should, where reasonably necessary or desirable, seek the opinion of an independent expert, and should not rely on the illustrations in printed, online or digital transmitted form. In the event that a description makes reference to certain faults or imperfections, Buyers should note that it is an indication which is not intended to be exhaustive and that there may be other faults not expressly referred to from which no rights can be derived.
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6. AUCTIONEER'S LIABILITY TO BUYER
6.1 Unless certain items in the catalogue or on the lot list are expressly excluded - without prejudice to Clauses 2 & 4.2 - the Specialist may be willing to set aside the sale of a Lot sold at auction and to refund an amount corresponding to the original Purchase Price and auction costs in the event that the Seller within a period of three weeks subsequent to the sale has established to the satisfaction of Oriental Art Auctions that the Lot sold at auction has such serious hidden faults or that the description given is shown to be so erroneous that, had the Buyer been aware of said faults or had there been an accurate description at the fall of the hammer, said Buyer would have decided not to proceed with the purchase or would have made the purchase only at a considerably lower price. The above is not applicable to faults that are in relation to the condition of the item (such as, for instance, normal wear and restoration).
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g. to claim upon allocation immediate payment in whole or in part; in case of refusal or inability to pay, Oriental Art Auctions is authorized to cancel the Purchase agreement and subsequently resell the particular Lot and to reject at any future auction any bids made by the defaulting bidder;
h. to set aside the Purchase agreement and to resell the item in the event that the Buyer refuses upon request to supply Oriental Art Auctions with his/her full name and address by presenting valid proof of identity;
i. not to transfer items from the account of the original Buyer to that of a third party;
j. not to release items in the course of an auction;
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