Astrolabe by Philippe Danfrie
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1600
This astrolabe, crafted from gilt brass with a diameter of 270 mm, is signed by Philippe Danfrie. The instrument includes a rete featuring a tulip-shaped design and a throne composed of two satyrs supporting a swiveling suspension element in the shape of an armillary sphere.
The back of the instrument contains an eccentric Gregorian calendar, zodiacal scales, and a solar cycle scale marked 'CYCLUS SOLARIS' with corresponding Dominical Letters, centered on the year 1600. The inside of the mater is engraved with a Quadratum Nauticum. The plates are marked for various latitudes, including specific settings for 42 to 52 degrees. The rule and alidade feature foliate engraving. The instrument is held by the British Museum and was donated by Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1897.
Construction details include a riveted rim and a pin consisting of a long bolt with a ridged circular nut.
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
- circa 1600
- Type
- French astrolabe
- Maker
- Philippe Danfrie
- Diameter
- 270 mm
- Material
- Gilt brass
- Place recorded
- France
- Signature location
- Between calendar and zodiacal scale
- Maker / attribution
- Philippe Danfrie
Design
- Visible features
- • The throne features two male satyrs supporting an armillary sphere. • The rete displays construction marks on its reverse side. • The mater contains a central Quadratum Nauticum engraved with wind names. • The alidade and rule are counterchanged and decorated with foliate engraving.
- Mater and Provenance
- The inside of the mater is engraved with a Quadratum Nauticum, identifying compass points through the names of winds arranged in three bands with cardinal directions. The plates are marked for latitudes ranging from 42 to 52 degrees and contain circles for the equator and tropics, as well as markings for azimuths, almucantars, and astrological houses in the manner of Regiomontanus. The instrument was donated to the British Museum by Ferdinand de Rothschild in 1897. It is catalogued under the registration number MLA 1897,11-18.1 and is further documented in F. A. B. Ward's 1981 publication regarding European scientific instruments in the museum's collection.
- Construction and Rete
- The astrolabe is constructed from gilt brass and measures 270 mm in diameter. The rim of the mater is riveted to the backplate and features an equal 24-hour scale, divided into five-minute increments, alongside a 360-degree altitude scale. The throne is fixed to the rim with screws and is formed by two foliate scrolls that carry two reclining male satyrs; these figures support a swiveling suspension mechanism modeled as an armillary sphere. The rete follows the pattern associated with Arsenius-type astrolabes and contains construction marks on the reverse. It displays the names of 42 stars with their respective magnitudes. The ecliptic is marked with Latin names of the zodiacal signs, each divided into 30-degree sections and further subdivided into single degrees.
- Backplate and Solar Cycle
- The back of the instrument contains several circular scales, including a 360-degree altitude scale and a zodiacal scale with Latin names and figural representations. An eccentric Gregorian calendar scale is present, showing the months and days. Positioned at the bottom is a double shadow scale labeled 'VMBRA RECTA' and 'VMBRA VERSA' with bases of 12 and 60 respectively. The center of the backplate houses a solar cycle scale, comprising four concentric circles. This area displays the years 1600, 1601, and 1602, alongside the 28-year solar cycle and corresponding Dominical Letters for ordinary and leap years. The center includes a blank escutcheon flanked by stylized eagles and a winged cherub head with strapwork.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- MLA 1897,11-18.1
- 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 swivel pin and suspension ring are missing.
- Research required: The alidade sighting vanes are missing.
- Research required: The specific year of manufacture remains inferred from internal solar cycle data.