Astrolabe by Jamal-ud-din of Lahore
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1681
This 17th-century astrolabe, designated by accession number IS.30-1882, is a brass instrument of Indian origin. The object is engraved with Arabic inscriptions and dates to A.D.
1681, corresponding to the Islamic year A.H. 1092. The astrolabe comprises a main body, a rotatable rete with complex cut-outs for stellar observation, and an alidade or sighting rule across the face. It features an ornate, pierced suspension loop at the top for mounting. The instrument is signed by the maker, Jamal-ud-din of Lahore. Acquired from Mrs. G. W. Hamilton, the object is currently held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The construction exhibits engraved patterns and calibrated scales consistent with traditional astrolabe design, intended for astronomical calculations and timekeeping. The surface is decorated with dense Arabic calligraphy integrated into the outer ring and the central rete structure.
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
- 1681
- Type
- Astrolabe
- Maker
- Jamal-ud-din of Lahore
- Material
- Brass
- Islamic year
- A.H. 1092
- Place recorded
- India
- Place of origin
- India
- Maker / attribution
- Jamal-ud-din of Lahore
- Inscription language
- Arabic
Design
- Visible features
- • Intricate pierced brass work on the suspension throne • Engraved Arabic inscriptions covering the outer rim and central rete • Central rotating alidade with a visible pivot pin
- Provenance and History
- The object was acquired by the museum through a purchase from Mrs. G. W. Hamilton. Research into the provenance, including records from the Asia Department, indicates the purchase was recorded in documentation linked to the year 1881. The history of the piece is verified by the museum's institutional records, which include internal memos such as the one from Sir P. C. Owen regarding the acquisition agenda. This provenance is maintained within the museum's central inventory systems.
- Construction and Materials
- The astrolabe is manufactured from brass and features extensive engraving across its components. The device consists of a circular base, a complex pierced rete, and an alidade. The suspension mechanism is integrated into an ornate, pierced 'throne' that serves as the attachment point for the instrument. The dial area displays a grid-like projection etched onto the surface, used for astronomical calculations. The outer rim is marked with divisions that accommodate the Arabic inscriptions, which are etched into the metal surface. The components are held together by a central axis pin.
- Signatures and Inscriptions
- The object contains clear inscriptions in Arabic. These markings identify the maker as Jamal-ud-din of Lahore and provide a production date corresponding to A.H. 1092. The text is distributed across the instrument, with the primary signature located in the central area, clearly stating the maker and the year of manufacture.
Identification
- Accession number
- IS.30-1882
- 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 provenance history prior to acquisition from Mrs. G. W. Hamilton remains limited
- Research required: The full functionality of the internal plates is not documented in the provided source