Brass Astrolabe, 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This 19th-century brass astrolabe originates from Qajar Iran. It is a scientific instrument featuring a circular body (mater) and an elaborately engraved rete with openwork tracery.
The rete contains star maps, celestial coordinates, and Arabic inscriptions that identify zodiac divisions and principal stars. The instrument is equipped with several interchangeable latitude plates, or tympans, which are engraved with stereographic projections relevant to various cities in the Islamic world. The mater is marked with scales and Qibla calculations, while the reverse side of the instrument incorporates sine and tangent scales, which facilitate trigonometric and astronomical computations.
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
- Astrolabe
- Dating
- 19th century
- Height
- 18 cm
- Origin
- Qajar Iran
- Weight
- 630 g
- Material
- Brass
- Functions
- Sine and tangent scales, Qibla calculations
- Components
- Suspension ring, throne, alidade, rete, mater, and tympans
- Place recorded
- Iran
Design
- Visible features
- • Intricate openwork rete design • Arabic script visible on the rim and rete • Circular suspension ring at the top • Engraved alidade visible across the center
- Historical Context
- The level of detail in the engraving and the preservation of the mechanical components suggest the continued application of astronomical science. The inscriptions provided on the instrument, written in Arabic, identify the various stars and zodiacal divisions.
- Scientific Utility
- The instrument is designed for complex astronomical and trigonometric calculations. The reverse side of the mater is engraved with specific sine and tangent scales, allowing the user to perform measurements necessary for celestial positioning. Additionally, the mater includes scale markings and specific calculations for determining the Qibla, which indicates the direction toward Mecca. By utilizing the interchangeable latitude plates, a user could adjust the instrument for different geographic locations within the Islamic world. This capability demonstrates the instrument's utility in providing accurate astronomical data for diverse cities, relying on the mathematical principles of stereographic projection to map celestial spheres onto a flat surface.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed of brass and measures 18 cm in height with a weight of 630 grams. The structure comprises a central mater, which serves as the primary body, and a highly detailed rete that functions as a star map. The rete features intricate openwork tracery, incorporating celestial coordinates and Arabic inscriptions that denote the principal stars and the zodiac divisions. The instrument includes multiple interchangeable tympans, or latitude plates, which are essential for its operation. These plates are engraved with stereographic projections intended for various cities. The overall assembly is held together with the original suspension ring and throne, with the alidade mounted to the instrument to assist with astronomical observation.
Identification
- 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: Specific geographic cities for the latitude plates are not listed
- Research required: Exact date within the 19th century is not specified