Astrolabe by Ḍiyā’ ad-Dīn Muḥammad, 1653/4 (A.H. 1064)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1653/4 (A.H. 1064)
This brass planispheric astrolabe was produced in Lahore in 1653/4 (A.H. 1064) by the maker Ḍiyā’ ad-Dīn Muḥammad. It features an Indo-Persian type throne with an integrated base and a trefoil shackle.
The mater and limb are constructed from a single piece of brass, with the latter featuring a degree scale. The rete is of the foliate type, containing 37 stars marked with foliate pointers and an ecliptic scale. The instrument includes five plates covering latitudes from 22° to 66°. The back of the instrument is engraved with 11 scales, including altitude, declination, sine/cosine, cotangent, shadow square, zodiacal signs, and lunar mansions.
The maker’s signature is engraved on the back. The astrolabe was presented to the museum by J. A. Billmeir in 1957. The current alidade is identified as a replacement, distinguishable from the remainder of the instrument by its metal composition and finish.
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
- 1653/4 (A.H. 1064)
- Type
- Persian-inscribed astrolabe, Indian subcontinent
- Maker
- Ḍiyā’ ad-Dīn Muḥammad
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
- Inscription
- Signature of Ḍiya ad-Dīn ’ibn Muḥammad
- Alidade status
- Replacement
- Place recorded
- Lahore
- Maker / attribution
- Ḍiyā’ ad-Dīn Muḥammad
- Place of Manufacture
- Lahore
Design
- Visible features
- • Foliate rete with 37 star pointers • Indo-Persian style throne • Eleven distinct scales on the back • Trefoil-type shackle at the apex
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is crafted from brass and adheres to the Indo-Persian design tradition. It features a throne of this specific type with an integrated base, supporting a trefoil-style shackle and a plain, round-section ring. The mater and limb are fashioned as a single-piece construction, with a tab positioned at the base to facilitate the secure rotation of the plates. The rete is characterized by a foliate design, incorporating a single knob and 37 individual star pointers, each shaped as a leaf. The instrument accommodates five internal plates, which provide coverage for latitudes ranging from 22° to 66°. The central attachment is secured using a pin and a decorative, life-like horse figure.
- Scales and Inscriptions
- The rear of the instrument is densely marked with 11 distinct astronomical scales. These include traditional features such as altitude, declination, cotangent, and shadow squares, alongside more complex layouts for lunar mansions and zodiacal signs. These scales provide a comprehensive set of functions for calculating celestial positions. The instrument carries a formal signature of the maker on the back. This inscription identifies the creator as the least of the servants, Ḍiya ad-Dīn ’ibn Muḥammad, and dates the work to the year 1064 A.H. (1653/4).
- Provenance and Condition
- The astrolabe entered the collection in 1957 through a presentation by J. A. Billmeir, who had acquired the object shortly before between 1955 and 1957. It holds the inventory number 38862 and the accession number 1957-84/163. Regarding the condition of the constituent parts, the report notes that the alidade is not original to the instrument. This component is classified as a replacement because both its metal composition and surface finish exhibit clear differences when compared to the original brass elements of the astrolabe.
Identification
- Serial number
- 38862
- Inventory Number
- 38862
- 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 alidade is reported as a non-original replacement
- Research required: The exact origin of the cord present in photos is not documented