compass, geomantic type; disc-shaped carved wood; dry-pivoted needle in center surrounded by series of concentric circles w/ ideographs designating their function; calligraphy on reverse also; diam. 14.3 cm.
Donor:
Ms. Caroline Brown
Collection place:
China
Verbatim coll. place:
China att.
Collector:
Ms. Caroline Brown
Collection date:
1971
Materials:
Ink and Wood (plant material)
Object type:
ethnography
Object class:
Carvings (visual works)
Function:
5.1 Religion and Divination: Objects and garb associated with practices reflecting submission, devotion, obedience, and service to supernatural agencies
Context of use:
Compass that aided in the practice of geomancy, a form of divination. Termed 'feng shui' (winds and waters), it is the art of adopting residences of the living and the tombs of the dead so as to cooperate and harmonize with the cosmos. See acc. env. for 9-86 (Acc. 375) for add'l. info.