Astrolabe by Muḥammad Ṭāhir

Technical characteristics

Date

ca. 1710

Type

Arabic-inscribed astrolabe

Maker

Muḥammad Ṭāhir

Material

Brass

Provenance

Purchased from S. G. Fenton in 1920

Acquisition

Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Embellisher

ʿAbd al-Aʾimmah

Place recorded

Iṣfahān

Place of origin

Iṣfahān

Maker / attribution

Muḥammad Ṭāhir

Design

Visible features

• The throne and limb exhibit ornate foliate engravings. • The alidade is a double-ended, rigid, non-original replacement. • The shackle is elongated into a tear-drop shape.

Construction and Design

The astrolabe features an Indo-Persian engraved throne, which is secured to an integrated base. Both the front and the back surfaces of the throne are decorated with foliate patterns, indicating high-level metalwork. The suspension system consists of a ring with a simple, round cross-section connected to an omega-shaped shackle, which displays a notable elongation reaching a tear-drop geometry. The mater and limb of the instrument are fashioned from a single piece of brass. The mechanism to secure the plates is located at the 180° mark relative to the throne, positioned at the bottom of the instrument. The back of the astrolabe is highly complex, featuring 15 distinct scales that allow for a wide range of astronomical and mathematical calculations, including azimuth of the Qibla, sine/cosine functions, and zodiacal sign divisions.

Signatures and Inscriptions

The astrolabe carries two specific maker inscriptions, both housed in dedicated cartouches. The primary maker's mark, attributing the construction to Muḥammad Ṭāhir, is located below the shadow square on the reverse side of the instrument. A second inscription, identifying ʿAbd al-Aʾimmah as the individual responsible for the embellishment of the instrument, is situated within a cartouche at the bottom rim of the back. These inscriptions appear clearly on the brass surface and reflect the collaborative nature of the instrument's finishing. The presence of these marks establishes both the primary fabrication and the subsequent decorative work attributed to the Iṣfahān workshop of the early 18th century.

Provenance and Modifications

The instrument was acquired by Lewis Evans in 1920 from the London dealer S. G. Fenton and was subsequently donated to the History of Science Museum in 1924. Records from the initial acquisition state that the piece originated from Teheran, despite the scholarly attribution to Iṣfahān based on the maker's known history. The current configuration of the astrolabe is not entirely original. The rete is believed to be a later replacement, as the engraving style and overall quality differ significantly from the body of the instrument. Additionally, the alidade is a double-ended replacement, and the current horse (the component securing the rete) has been identified as a modern substitute, with the original pin now missing.

Identification

Reference

46836

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.