Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries

Visitors' Forum

Asian Art Forums - Detail List
Asian Art Forums

Message Listing by Date:
Message Index | Back | Post a New Message | Search | Private Mail | FAQ
Subject:Labyrinth Chinese Puzzle Game?
Posted By: Dana Mon, Apr 29, 2013 IP: 69.131.232.118
Hello! Does anyone recognize this "game"? The center piece is heavy metal, maybe brass, with two "pins". Beautiful dragons adorn the corners. Thank you in advance for your expertise!



Subject:Re: Labyrinth Chinese Puzzle Game?
Posted By: pierre vdw Tue, Apr 30, 2013
This object was created/invented by a guy living during the Yuan dynasty.
It is called a Zheng Fang An

Can be used in horizontal or vertical position.
It can check your position (longitude/latitude) and also can be used as a solar clock.

Cheers

Subject:Re: Labyrinth Chinese Puzzle Game?
Posted By: Dana Wed, May 01, 2013
Thank you for your quick response! Would have taken me forever to research this!

Best,
Dana

Subject:Re: Labyrinth Chinese Puzzle Game?
Posted By: Y. E. Wong Tue, Apr 30, 2013
What you have is a replica of a Chinese compass used for astrological purposes (invented by Guo Shoujing, in the Yuan dynasty). Please check link, and scroll down to the English text; there, you should see a brief explanation of what the compass is used for.

Keyword: zheng fang an, 正方案

Photo source:
http://www.ssgxt.com/html/news/2013-1/3374.html




URL Title :What is Zheng Fang An?


Subject:Re: Labyrinth Chinese Puzzle Game?
Posted By: Dana Wed, May 01, 2013
Thank you so very much for your quick response! Such a fascinating history! Can't wait to research this!

Best,
Dana

Asianart.com | Associations | Articles | Exhibitions | Galleries |