Astrolabe (inventory no. 52478)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This 18th-century brass astrolabe (inventory no. 52478) is a scientific instrument attributed to manufacture in Jaipur, India. Presented to the History of Science Museum, Oxford, by J.
A. Billmeir in 1957, the object is characterized by its one-piece mater and limb construction and a specific Indo-Persian type throne. A distinguishing feature of the instrument is an alidade equipped with a large-diameter sighting tube, intended for celestial observation. The back of the astrolabe is partially engraved, limited to the upper-left quadrant, with the remaining scales and lines left unmarked, leading to the assessment that the piece is unfinished.
The rete incorporates 27 star pointers and is secured by a nut and bolt assembly identified as a later addition. The instrument includes Sanskrit labeling for its zodiacal divisions and star identifications, as observed in the primary collection documentation.
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
- 18th century
- Type
- Sanskrit-inscribed astrolabe
- Provenance
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
- Rete stars
- 27
- Construction
- One-piece mater and limb
- Throne style
- Indo-Persian
- Place recorded
- India
- Place of origin
- Jaipur, India
Design
- Visible features
- • The instrument features an Indo-Persian type throne with a vertical central line. • The back displays engravings only in the upper-left quadrant, indicating an unfinished state. • The alidade includes a fixed sighting tube of significant diameter. • The rete is of the 'tropics-full' type with 27 star pointers.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed from brass, featuring a one-piece mater and limb. It is fitted with an Indo-Persian style throne, which is vaguely Moorish arch in shape and features an integrated base. The ring is a simple round cross-section type, while the shackle is omega-shaped. The rete is of the 'tropics-full' type and contains 27 star pointers. It is attached to the main body via a nut and bolt, both of which are documented as later replacements to the original configuration. The instrument is considered unfinished as several scales and lines remain unmarked.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The instrument was accessioned by the History of Science Museum in 1957 (accession number 1957-84/172A) following its presentation by J. A. Billmeir, who acquired the piece between 1955 and 1957. Professors S.R. Sarma and Chris Minkowski provided the transcription and translation for the Sanskrit inscriptions located on the rete.
- Alidade and Sighting Mechanism
- A key component of the instrument is the double-ended alidade, which features a notable sighting tube affixed to its two sights. This tube has a large diameter, which potentially hindered precise altitude measurements of stars due to its size. Furthermore, the inclusion of the sighting tube rendered the instrument inconvenient for solar observation, as an observer cannot view the sun directly through the aperture. The tube is conjectured to have been intended for night-time sighting of dimmer celestial bodies.
Identification
- Reference
- 52478
- Inventory number
- 52478
- 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 nut and bolt securing the rete are described as later additions.
- Research required: The instrument is considered unfinished due to numerous unmarked scales and lines.