Astrolabe by Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamā’irī, 1221/2
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1221/2
This 1221/2 astrolabe, crafted from brass in Seville by Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamā’irī, is held in the History of Science Museum collection at the University of Oxford.
The mater and limb are constructed of two soldered pieces, with the limb featuring a degree scale. It is secured by a nut and bolt. The back of the astrolabe is engraved with seven distinct scales, including altitude, zodiacal, calendar, and shadow square functions. Four plates accompany the instrument, covering latitudes from 30° to 40°. Provenance records indicate that Lewis Evans purchased the piece in Paris from the dealer Vitali in 1910 before presenting it to the museum in 1924.
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
- 1221/2
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe, Iberia
- Maker
- Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamā’irī
- Provenance
- Purchased by Lewis Evans in 1910 via the dealer Vitali
- Star count
- 29
- Throne style
- Moorish arch
- Place recorded
- Seville
- Maker / attribution
- Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamā’irī
- Place of manufacture
- Seville
Design
- Visible features
- • Omega-type shackle at the top of the throne • Rete features 29 stars with hook pointers • Shadow square present on the back of the instrument • Nut and bolt central attachment mechanism
- Provenance and Accession
- The instrument was accessioned into the History of Science Museum collection under the number 1924-0/2007, following its presentation by Lewis Evans in 1924. Documentary evidence associated with the collection indicates that Evans acquired the piece while in Paris in 1910. The purchase was facilitated by a dealer named Vitali, who was based in Algeria at the time of the transaction.
- Signatures and Inscriptions
- The astrolabe is attributed to the maker Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamā’irī. Inscriptions are present on the instrument, specifically on the back of the throne, where the maker's name is recorded. The rete includes labels for the twelve zodiacal signs in Arabic. These labels are inscribed along the ecliptic band, detailing the progression from Aries (al-Ḥamal) through to Pisces (al-Ḥūt). Additional numerical markings appear on the limb and back scales to support astronomical calculations.
- Structural Design and Components
- The astrolabe is constructed from brass and features a moorish arch-type throne fitted with an integrated base. A characteristic omega-shaped shackle is attached at the top to facilitate suspension. The main body consists of a mater and limb assembly, which is made from two separate pieces joined by solder. The rete is an indicator-line type containing 29 stars, marked with hook-shaped pointers that originate from trefoil or bulbous bases. The central assembly is secured using a nut and bolt, allowing for the rotation of the rete over the set of four included plates, which are calibrated for latitudes ranging from 30° to 40°. The back of the instrument is densely engraved with seven different scales. These include altitude markings in the upper quadrants, concentric scales for zodiacal signs, the calendar, and a perpetual calendar, as well as a shadow square and cotangent scales located in the lower sections.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 44141
- 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: Cotangent scale numerals are noted as too worn to read
- Research required: Several star pointers are noted as damaged