14th Century Engraved Brass Astrolabe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1300-1400
This object is a portable astronomical instrument, specifically an astrolabe, attributed to France and dated between 1300 and 1400. Constructed from cast sheet brass with additional cast elements, the instrument is decorated with engravings.
The front face features a pierced plate inscribed with the names of 37 stars. The design allows for the calculation of time, sunrise and sunset times, the rising and setting times of celestial bodies, and the configuration of the heavens at various points in time. As a scientific instrument, it served functions in both astronomy and astrology. The object is held within the Victoria and Albert Museum collection, having been received as a gift.
The construction involves techniques of casting, sheet working, and engraving to create the flattened representation of the universe.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1300-1400
- Type
- Astrolabe
- Origin
- France
- Material
- Brass
- Technique
- Cast and engraved
- Star Count
- 37
- Place recorded
- France
Design
- Visible features
- • Front plate features pierced cutouts and star name engravings • Reverse side includes a linear scale and central rotatable alidade • Suspension ring attached to a prominent upper lug
- Functionality and Use
- This device serves as a multifunctional tool for both astronomical calculations and astrological readings. It is capable of determining specific temporal data, including the time of day and the precise moments of sunrise and sunset. Furthermore, it aids in tracking the celestial motions, such as the rising and setting times of identified stars. By configuring the components, a user can model the state of the heavens for any requested time, whether in the past or the future. This capability makes it an instrument for celestial observation and prediction, functioning by mapping the universe onto a flat, operable surface.
- Construction and Materials
- The body of the instrument incorporates both cast and sheet components, which have been assembled to form a precise, flattened representation of the cosmos. Surface finishing includes engraving, which provides the functional scales, star positions, and lettering required for the operation of the device. The instrument is designed with a pierced plate on the front that identifies 37 distinct stars. The structural integrity and functional requirements of the device are met through the combination of these cast and sheet elements, allowing for the precise measurement of angular distances and the alignment of the alidade over the scales.
- Provenance and Identification
- The object is identified by the accession number M.128-1923 within the Victoria and Albert Museum collection. It is recorded as a gift, designated as the Williams Hearn Gift. Scholarly records place its manufacture in France within the 14th century, specifically dating it to the years 1300-1400. The identification of the piece as French-made rests on attribution rather than signed documentation. Historical records associated with the item emphasize its status as an engraved brass instrument, consistent with the described time and place of origin.
Identification
- Accession Number
- M.128-1923
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The exact maker remains anonymous
- Research required: Exact attribution to France is stated as a source-attributed provenance rather than an inscribed fact