Brass Astrolabe by 'Abd al-A'imma
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1712/13 (A.H. 1124)
This brass astrolabe, catalogued as inventory number 40744, is attributed to the maker ‘Abd al-A’imma and dates to 1712/13 (A.H. 1124). The instrument features a one-piece mater and limb construction with an Indo-Persian style engraved throne.
The back includes nine distinct scales, including shadow squares and sine/cosine calculations, with the maker's signature housed in a cartouche beneath the shadow square. The rete is of the foliate type, and the central pin is set with a turquoise stone. A calligraphic dedication on the throne identifies the original owner as Isma'īl Bey, the Jabbādār-bashī or director of the arsenal under the Shah of Persia. Acquired by the History of Science Museum through a presentation by Lewis Evans in 1924, the piece reflects the working standards of the early 18th-century Iṣfahān school, noted for its precise astronomical utility, intentionally rendered with a plainer finish than other works by the same maker.
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
- 1712/13 (A.H. 1124)
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe
- Maker
- ‘Abd al-A’imma
- Place
- Iṣfahān
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Presented by Lewis Evans, 1924
- Original Owner
- Isma'īl Bey, Jabbādār-bashī
- Place recorded
- Iṣfahān
- Maker / attribution
- ‘Abd al-A’imma
- Signature Translation
- Made by ʿAbd al-Aʾimmah, who needs the mercy of his Lord, the self-sufficient.
Design
- Visible features
- • Turquoise stone inlay at the top of the central pin. • Maker's signature in an ornamental cartouche on the back. • Engraved Indo-Persian style throne with a calligraphic dedication. • Double-ended alidade on the back of the instrument.
- Provenance and History
- The astrolabe was acquired by the University of Oxford’s History of Science Museum following a presentation by Lewis Evans in 1924. Evans had previously purchased the instrument from a London dealer named J. Lowe in July 1922. While the maker's signature usually omits a date, this specific instrument is dated through its dedication inscription, a characteristic noted in several other confirmed pieces by the same maker.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed primarily of brass, featuring a one-piece mater and limb assembly. The design utilizes a tab system to secure the five included plates, which offer latitude ranges between 30 and 38 degrees. The throne is of the engraved Indo-Persian type and is secured via an integrated base. The rete displays a foliate, single-knob configuration, and the instrument is assembled using a central pin and horse. A notable aesthetic detail is the turquoise stone set into the top of the pin, a detail interpreted as a personal signal of the original owner's wealth and status.
- Inscriptions and Signatures
- The instrument bears a formal maker's signature located within a cartouche situated beneath the shadow square on the back of the device. This signature includes a religious invocation, explicitly stating that the maker requires the mercy of his Lord. A calligraphic inscription on the front of the throne provides evidence of the commission, naming Isma'īl Bey as the recipient. The text identifies his role as the director of the arsenal and notes his high standing with the Shah of Persia. The date is rendered as 1124 A.H. (1712/13 A.D.), despite the inclusion of an unexplained '001' sequence.
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: The '001' portion of the inscription on the throne is not fully understood and may function as a space filler.
- Research required: The presence of a turquoise stone is noted as a personal addition by the owner, rather than a standard feature of the maker's work.