An 18th century Islamic brass quadrant made in the Maghreb region of north-west Africa, estimate $3000-5000 at Eldreds.
It is signed along one of the sight vanes Made by the little slave of his Lord, Ahmad b’Ali Marsil, year 1190 (equivalent to 1776). Some time in its life a modification was made – probably by the original maker as it is signed a second time From the work of as-sayyid Ahmad b, Ali Marsil, may God have mercy.
As a maritime instrument, the quadrant could have been in use by Arab navigators in the Indian Ocean centuries before the Portuguese arrived.
This example offered in Massachusetts is engraved with data for 35 degrees north latitude, the most central latitude bisecting the Islamic world. It passes through Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, along the southern Mediterranean through Crete and Cyprus, then into Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and northern India.
This is one of many instruments in the sale from the Kelton Collection of Marine Art & Artefacts. It was last sold at Sotheby’s in London as part of the Frank collection of scientific instruments in 1986.
Estimate $3000-5000.
