Astrolabe by Humphry Cole
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1575
This astrolabe, inventory number 43454, is a gilt brass instrument attributed to the English mathematical instrument maker Humphry Cole, dated circa 1575. The device comprises a mater and limb of one-piece construction, a rete featuring 13 star pointers, two latitude plates, and a double-ended, counter-changed alidade and rule.
The rete and plates are attributed to Cole, though the mater's attribution remains debated due to stylistic variations in engraving and numeral forms. An anthropomorphic sun figure is centered on the back. The instrument features a simple brass throne with foliate engraving and a rotating pin-type shackle. The limb bears a 1659 inscription recording its donation to the University of Oxford by Nicholas Greaves. Originally made for English use, the instrument is part of the History of Science Museum's collection, having been acquired via the Gunther family in 1986.
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
- ca. 1575
- Type
- Latin-inscribed astrolabe
- Maker
- Humphry Cole
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Provenance
- Presented by A. E. Gunther in 1986
- Star Count
- 13
- Inscription
- 1659. Acad. Oxon. Ex dono Nic Greaves. S.T.D.
- Place recorded
- London
- Maker / attribution
- Humphry Cole
Design
- Visible features
- • Anthropomorphic sun face engraving on the back • Foliate decoration on the front and back of the throne • Bent sight on the alidade • One-piece construction of the mater and limb
- Features and Scales
- The back of the instrument contains six distinct scales including altitude, zodiacal signs, calendar, shadow square, unequal hours, and equal hours. A decorative anthropomorphic sun is situated in the center of the unequal hour diagram. The limb, which is of one-piece construction with the mater, features a degree scale (0-360) and an equal hours scale (1-12). The rete is of the simple indicator-line type. The zodiac on the rete is labeled with standard nomenclature. The two plates provided allow for latitudes ranging from 51 to 55 degrees, indicating the instrument was originally intended for use in England.
- Provenance and Inscriptions
- The instrument includes an inscription on the limb reading '1659. Acad. Oxon. Ex dono Nic Greaves. S.T.D.', which records its donation to the University of Oxford by Nicholas Greaves in memory of his brother, John Greaves, and John Bainbridge. This inscription is considered a later addition to the original instrument. The instrument was historically part of the Savilian Collection at Oxford. In the modern era, the astrolabe entered the Gunther Collection, eventually being presented to the History of Science Museum by A. E. Gunther in 1986.
- Attribution and Construction
- The astrolabe is attributed to the English maker Humphry Cole, circa 1575. The instrument is constructed from gilt brass. The rete, which features 13 star pointers, and the two latitude plates are considered the work of Cole, showing close resemblance to his other dated instruments. However, the mater's authorship is less certain due to discrepancies in numeral forms and engraving style compared to the rete and plates. The throne is a simple brass design featuring an integrated base with foliate engravings on both front and back. The ring is a simple round cross-section piece, pierced by the attachment pin. The instrument includes a rotating pin-type shackle and a double-ended, counter-changed alidade and rule. One alidade sight is notably bent toward the instrument's center.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 43454
- 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: Authorship of the mater is not certain due to engraving differences
- Research required: Inscription on the limb is likely a later addition