Astrolabe with sighting tube, inventory 30402
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th or early 19th century
This brass astrolabe, designated inventory number 30402, is attributed to Indian manufacture, specifically Jaipur, during the late 18th or early 19th century. It features a large diameter and a single plate engraved for a latitude of 27°.
The throne bears an inscription in Sanskrit, 'श्रीयंत्रराज' ('The glorious astrolabe'), which points to the significance of astronomical instruments in the region following the foundation of an observatory by maharajah Jai Singh II. The mater and limb are constructed from a single piece of brass. Acquired by the History of Science Museum, Oxford, in 1988, the piece was previously part of the Time Museum collection in Rockford, Illinois.
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
- Type
- Sanskrit-inscribed astrolabe
- Origin
- Jaipur, India
- Latitude
- 27°
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois
- Star Count
- 38
- Place recorded
- India
- Throne Inscription
- श्रीयंत्रराज (The glorious astrolabe)
Design
- Visible features
- • Sanskrit inscription 'श्रीयंत्रराज' on the throne • Sighting tube attached to the back of the alidade • Rete features 38 stars with dagger pointers • Omega-shaped shackle at the throne assembly
- Scales and Markings
- The womb of the astrolabe is engraved for a latitude of 27°, which corresponds to the location of Jaipur. It contains a comprehensive series of lines including the equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, and various horizon indicators, all inscribed in Sanskrit script. The azimuths are divided every 3°, and the unequal hours are marked with Devanagari numerals. The back of the instrument contains seven scales, including altitude scales for the upper quadrants, degree scales for the lower quadrants, and a shadow square divided in fingers and feet. The rete zodiac is labelled with Sanskrit names for the signs, and star positions are indicated with dagger pointers.
- Construction and Assembly
- The astrolabe is manufactured from brass and features a large, single-plate design. The mater and the limb are created as a single-piece construction. The assembly includes a simple, engraved throne with an integrated base, supporting a brass ring and an omega-type shackle. The rete is of a simple design, showing repairs on the horizontal bar and the equatorial strap, and is secured to the instrument with a pin and wedge arrangement. The instrument is notable for its large physical size relative to the collection. A primary feature is the double-ended alidade which, alongside standard pin-hole sights, integrates a sighting tube.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- This instrument was acquired by the History of Science Museum, Oxford, in 1988, following its purchase at a Christie's auction in London. Prior to this, it was part of the Time Museum collection in Rockford, Illinois (inventory number 1056), having been originally sourced through the Paris collector Alain Brieux. The astrolabe is attributed to the center of astrolabe manufacture in Jaipur, a trade that flourished following the establishment of the observatory by maharajah Jai Singh II in the early 18th century.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 30402
- 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: Exact date of manufacture is imprecise, given as late 18th or early 19th century
- Research required: Attribution to Jaipur is considered probable by the source