Astrolabe by Georg Hartmann, 1542
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1542
This astrolabe, inventory number 49296, was produced in Nuremberg by Georg Hartmann in 1542. The instrument is constructed primarily of wood, featuring turned mater and limb construction with applied paper elements.
Its throne, ring, and shackle components are crafted from brass. The design includes a rete of the simple indicator-line type with a Moorish arch, marked with 29 stars and zodiacal signs. Three plates accompany the instrument, covering latitudes from 39° to 54°. The back face contains eight distinct scales including degree, zodiacal, calendar, unequal hours, and a shadow square, the latter of which incorporates the Arms of Nuremberg.
The maker's signature is inscribed on the back as 'GEORGIVS HARTMAN NOREMBERGE, FACIEBAT ANNO MDXXXXII'. It was presented to the History of Science Museum by Lewis Evans in 1924, following his acquisition of the piece from a dealer in Venice in 1895.
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
- 1542
- Type
- Latin-inscribed astrolabe
- Maker
- Georg Hartmann
- Place
- Nuremberg
- Material
- Wood
- Rete stars
- 29 stars
- Acquisition
- Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924
- Inscription
- GEORGIVS HARTMAN NOREMBERGE, FACIEBAT ANNO MDXXXXII
- Place recorded
- Nuremberg
- Maker / attribution
- Georg Hartmann
Design
- Visible features
- • Shadow square on the back contains the Arms of Nuremberg. • Rete features 29 stars marked with dagger pointers. • Mater and limb consist of a single turned piece with paper. • Includes a double-ended, counter-changed alidade.
- Scales and Markings
- The back of the astrolabe is densely inscribed with eight distinct scales. These include a degree scale around the outer circle, zodiacal signs, a calendar scale, unequal hours, and a four-part shadow square. The shadow square incorporates the arms of Nuremberg within its center. The rete holds a circular, concentric scale for zodiacal signs, numbered every 10 units. The star markings consist of dagger pointers denoting specific celestial positions, with star names inscribed directly onto the rete.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is primarily constructed of wood, consisting of a single turned piece that forms both the mater and the limb. The surfaces are finished with pasted paper, which carries the various scales and markings. The instrument is further equipped with brass components, including a bracket-type throne, a simple round cross-section ring, and an eye-bolt shackle. The rete follows an indicator-line style with a Moorish arch, providing positions for 29 stars and the ecliptic zodiac. It is secured to the main body via a foliate decorated pin. Three plates are included, offering latitude ranges between 39° and 54°.
- Signature and Provenance
- The maker's signature is prominently placed on the back of the astrolabe, reading 'GEORGIVS HARTMAN NOREMBERGE, FACIEBAT ANNO MDXXXXII'. This confirms its production in Nuremberg in 1542. Regarding the object's history, the museum records note that the astrolabe was presented by Lewis Evans in 1924. Evans acquired the instrument from a dealer in Venice in 1895.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 49296
- 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 original owner remains unverified, although the auction description suggests it may have belonged to Leonardo Botallo.
- Research required: Some star pointers on the rete are reported as damaged.