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Lot 143:
Description
This lot comprises two Chinese geomantic compasses, known as Luopan, which are traditional instruments used in the practice of Feng Shui. The first example is a vintage instrument featuring a circular brass dial incised with multiple concentric rings of Chinese characters representing the Eight Trigrams (Bagua), Heavenly Stems, and Earthly Branches. The dial is inset within a square red-lacquered wooden base that incorporates a spirit level in one corner for accurate orientation. The central magnetic needle is protected under glass and aligned with red tensioned strings. This compass is housed in a dark-stained wooden case with a hinged lid. The interior of the lid is lined with paper displaying hand-written vertical columns of Chinese calligraphy in black ink with red annotations. Visible characters include 地 (earth), 得 (to get), 宜 (suitable), 再 (again), 往 (to go), 有 (to have), 喜 (joy), 慶 (celebration), 生 (life), 妒 (jealousy), 嫉 (envy), 心 (heart), 身 (body), 務 (affairs), 禍 (calamity), and 患 (worry). The second item is a contemporary Luopan featuring a polished brass dial and a square red-lacquered wooden base. It contains a white-faced central compass with red nylon crosshairs and is accompanied by its original red plastic protective sleeve. Both items are of 20th-century manufacture.
Condition report:
The vintage Luopan exhibits signs of age and significant use, with a developed dark patina to the brass and wear to the red lacquer including minor losses at the edges. The wooden case shows scuffing and wear to the exterior surfaces. The internal paper lining is toned with visible foxing and staining. The modern Luopan is in good used condition with light surface scratches to the lacquered base.
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