Astrolabe by Muḥammad Mahdī, ca. 1650
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1650
This gilt brass astrolabe, designated by inventory number 50143, is attributed to the maker Muḥammad Mahdī and dates to approximately 1650. Originating from Persia, the instrument features a complex design including an indo-persian engraved throne and an omega-type shackle.
The mater and limb are constructed as a single piece, with the limb inscribed with a list of the twelve Shiite Imams. The instrument includes five plates covering latitudes from 22° to 45°. Its back is engraved with 13 distinct scales including altitude, declination, and a shadow square, alongside a signature within a cartouche identifying the maker as Muḥammad Mahdī al-Yazdī. The rete is of the foliate single-knob variety and is accompanied by a double-ended alidade.
The object was presented to the History of Science Museum, Oxford, by Lewis Evans in 1924, who had previously acquired it from Akchoté Frères in Paris.
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. 1650
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe, Iran
- Maker
- Muḥammad Mahdī
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Provenance
- Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924
- Maker's Name
- Muḥammad Mahdī al-Yazdī
- Place recorded
- Persia
- Maker / attribution
- Muḥammad Mahdī
- Place of Manufacture
- Persia
- Total Cities in Gazetteer
- 62
Design
- Visible features
- • The shackle is an omega-shaped (Ω) component. • The maker's signature is located on the back in an unusually-shaped cartouche. • The instrument includes a gazetteer with coordinates for 62 cities.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is crafted from gilt brass and features an indo-persian style throne with an integrated brass base and an omega-type shackle. The mater and limb are manufactured as a single-piece construction, with a tab positioned at the bottom to secure the tympans. The limb is decorated with a degree scale and a significant inscription around the edge listing the twelve Shiite Imams, starting with Muḥammad the chosen and concluding with Muḥammad al-Mahdī. The rete is of the foliate single-knob type and lacks marked stars. It features standard zodiacal labels. The instrument comes with five plates that provide a latitude range from 22°0' to 45°0'. The double-ended alidade is original to the instrument and is of a rigid, simple type, though it currently lacks the pin and horse assembly required to secure the components together.
- Back Scales and Gazetteer
- The reverse of the astrolabe is highly detailed, containing 13 distinct scales. These include multiple circular and concentric scales for altitude, cotangents measured in feet and fingers, and a shadow square. Additional features include scales for declination, the azimuth of the Qibla, zodiacal signs, terms, and faces. The instrument also contains a comprehensive gazetteer located within the womb. This gazetteer lists coordinates for 62 cities, covering a broad geographical range from Mecca and Medina to cities in modern-day Afghanistan, India, and Central Asia. The specific inscriptions and scales on the back are attributed to the work of Muḥammad Mahdī al-Yazdī, whose signature is found within an unusually-shaped cartouche on the rear of the device.
- Provenance and Acquisition
- The astrolabe is currently held by the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford. It was donated to the institution by Lewis Evans in 1924, who is recorded as the primary benefactor for this acquisition. Prior to its donation to the museum, the instrument was purchased by Lewis Evans from the firm Akchoté Frères in Paris. The records maintain the inventory number 50143, which serves as the identifier for both the catalogue and museum accession archives.
Identification
- Reference
- 50143
- Inventory Number
- 50143
- 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 inscription on the back is reported as worn and difficult to read.
- Research required: The horse for the central pin is missing.
- Research required: The inclusion of 'al-Yazdī' in the signature is the source's interpretation of a potentially worn inscription.