AN OTTOMAN QIBLA INDICATOR
Ottoman Turkey, 19th century

Of conventional circular shape, the carved wood indicator painted in polychromes, gilt, and lacquered, the interior of the base depicting the black building of Ka'ba in the central medallion, next to a small compass and the cardinal directions marked in red ink, encircled by Arabic names of various cities reversed against gold cloud-bands, the interior of the lid showcasing a topographical bird's-eye view of the Bayt Allah, the sanctuary at Mecca, including Ka'ba, the Masjid al-Haram, and several constructions next to the holy site, encircled by typical Ottoman festoons of rosettes and foliage, and scrollwork bands, the exterior decorated with similar polychrome-painted floral motifs on a white ground, 20cm diam.

An almost identical polychrome-painted wood qibla indicator attributed to 19th-century Ottoman Turkey was successfully sold at Sotheby's London, 23 October 2019, lot 124.