A Brass Qibla Indicator

Zand or Qajar Iran, 18th–19th century. Of chased and tinned brass, featuring a compass with a graduated rim; the lid and base are divided into sixteen segments, each representing a city in the Middle East—such as Mecca, Medina, Bukhara, Damascus, etc.—inscribed in elegant Persian cursive script; the edges are decorated with a calligraphic band and a garland of palmettes; shows signs of wear.