Astrolabe by Khafīf
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 9th century
This late 9th-century astrolabe, crafted from brass, is attributed to Khafīf, an apprentice of ‘Alī ibn ‘Īsā. It is held in the University of Oxford’s History of Science Museum collection under inventory number 47632.
The instrument features a pierced, five-lobed throne with an integrated base and an omega-type shackle. The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. Three plates are included, covering latitudes from 33° to 41°. The reverse side is engraved with altitude scales, a cotangent scale, a shadow square, and a Dastūr circle. Added Armenian inscriptions appear on the shadow square and two of the plates. The device, which includes an original single-ended pointer and a counter-changed alidade, was presented to the 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
- late 9th century
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe, Near East
- Maker
- Khafīf, apprentice of ‘Alī ibn ‘Īsā
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
- Plate range
- 33°0' to 41°0'
- Place recorded
- Syria
- Number of stars
- 17
- Maker / attribution
- Khafīf, apprentice of ‘Alī ibn ‘Īsā
- Place of manufacture
- Syria
Design
- Visible features
- • Pierced five-lobed throne • Dagger-shaped star pointers on the rete • Original single-ended pointer and counter-changed alidade • Engraved Armenian inscriptions and numbers on the reverse side
- Provenance and History
- This astrolabe was acquired by the History of Science Museum in Oxford following a donation by J. A. Billmeir in 1957. Records indicate that Billmeir had previously purchased the instrument from the Parisian collector and dealer Nicolas Landau between 1955 and 1957. The object is identified by the museum accession number 1957-84/155. The museum notes that this specific astrolabe is the oldest specimen currently held within its collection.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed from brass and consists of a one-piece mater and limb assembly. The throne, which is pierced and features a five-lobed design, is attached to an integrated base. A simple, squared cross-section ring is connected to the instrument via an omega-type shackle, with notably large attachment tabs. The rete is of the simple indicator-line style, featuring 17 stars marked by distinct, dagger-shaped pointers. A single knob facilitates rotation of the rete, which is held in place by a pin and wedge, the pin head being decorated with radial lines. The instrument includes three plates calibrated for latitudes ranging from 33°0' to 41°0'. These latitudes are associated with regions in Syria and Armenia. The front of the astrolabe is fitted with an original, single-ended pointer, while the reverse side features a double-ended, counter-changed alidade. Both the pointer and the alidade are decorated with matching engraved patterns.
- Scales and Inscriptions
- The reverse of the instrument contains four primary scales: altitude, cotangent, a shadow square, and a Dastūr circle. The altitude scales are arranged in the upper quadrants, while the cotangent and shadow square scales occupy the lower quadrants. The shadow square includes Armenian numbers and a specific inscription indicating the word 'shadow' along its diagonal. Inscriptions are present on both the front and back of the instrument. These include a maker's signature identifying Khafīf as an apprentice of ‘Alī ibn ‘Īsā and a mark denoting ownership by Aḥmad, an astronomer from Ṣinjār. Additionally, two of the three plates feature latitude markings in Armenian, indicating early modifications to the instrument.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 47632
- 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 date is considered approximate based on the known apprenticeship lineage
- Research required: The specific historical ownership by Aḥmad the astronomer from Ṣinjār is based on interpreted inscriptions