Astrolabe by François Morillard (inventory no. 53966)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1600
This gilt brass astrolabe was made by François Morillard in Narbonne in 1600. It features an ornate rete with seventeen stars and a mater of one-piece construction with a limb bearing wind directions.
The back contains eleven diverse astronomical scales, including altitude, zodiacal, and calendar divisions, alongside a shadow square. Signed 'Fr. Morillard Lugdunen. faciebat Narb. Anno M.VIc', the instrument includes a throne decorated with scrollwork and a rotating pin-type shackle. The astrolabe was later modified in Paris during the late 17th century by Pierre Sevin, who supplied a plate for the latitude of Paris and a replacement regula with a cursor and brachiolum.
The object was presented to the History of Science Museum by J. A. Billmeir in 1957.
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
- 1600
- Type
- Geographic astrolabe
- Maker
- François Morillard
- Stars
- 17
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Acquisition
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
- Later Modifier
- Pierre Sevin
- Place recorded
- Narbonne
- Maker / attribution
- François Morillard
- Place of manufacture
- Narbonne
Design
- Visible features
- • Throne features s-shaped scrollwork support and small disc with engraved flower • Regula includes cursor and small brachiolum • Back includes an 11-scale arrangement with perpetual calendars
- Provenance and History
- The astrolabe was previously part of the Chadenat collection in Paris. It was displayed at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in 1932. J. A. Billmeir acquired the object at the Chadenat auction held at the Hôtel Drouot on 24 May 1956. Following its acquisition, it was presented to the History of Science Museum in 1957. The modifications performed by Pierre Sevin in the 1670s or 1680s suggest the astrolabe remained in active use in a Parisian context well after its initial manufacture in 1600.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed of gilt brass, featuring a throne of simple type decorated with s-shaped scrollwork and a small disc engraved with a flower on both sides. The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The limb is inscribed with wind directions, including SYROCCHO, LEVANTE, GRECO, TRAMONTANO, MAGISTRAL, PONENTE, and LEBECCIO. The instrument is suspended by a simple band ring and a rotating pin-type shackle. The back contains eleven scales, including altitude, zodiacal signs, calendar, windrose, dominical letter, solar cycle, golden number, epact, perpetual calendar, and a shadow square. The instrument is signed by the maker on the back. The rete is of an ornate type containing seventeen stars marked with flamant pointers and zodiacal labels in Latin.
- Projection and Modifications
- This astrolabe features a unique southern projection of the terrestrial sphere, which departs from the more common north polar projections found in other instruments of the period. This specific plate depicts the terrestrial globe from the north looking south, with the plane of projection tangent at the south pole, effectively placing Madagascar to the left of Africa and South America to the right. In the late 17th century, the instrument underwent modifications by the Parisian maker Pierre Sevin. He added a plate calibrated for the latitude of Paris, featuring a De Rojas universal projection on the reverse side. Additionally, he supplied a new regula, cursor, and brachiolum to ensure the functional compatibility of the instrument for its new user.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 53966
- 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 late 17th-century date of the Sevin modifications remains approximated
- Research required: The source notes the southern projection's reversal of the terrestrial sphere as a variation from typical north polar projections