Special Exhibition Label: 'Al-Mizan: Sciences and Arts in the Islamic World' (26/10/2010 - 20/03/2011)
Zodiac
A Thousand Stars
The signs of the zodiac take their places among the 48 classical constellations on this Indian celestial globe of 1709/10. All are represented by figures engraved in brass, with more than one thousand stars. The stars are indicated by inlaid silver points (which have now tarnished), each surrounded by small engraved circles. Although the presentation is positional and astronomical, the stars are not accurately placed and the globe is more decorative than functional. Each twisted and bulbous column that supports the globe is engraved with a group of four standing figures on a foliate background.
MHS inv. 98115 (left)