Brass Astrolabe by Ibn Muḥibb Ḥaqiqa
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1647/8 (A.H. 1057)
This brass astrolabe, bearing inventory number 52066, is attributed to the maker Ibn Muḥibb Ḥaqiqa and dated 1647/8 (A.H. 1057). It features an Indo-Persian broad-type throne with an integrated base, a simple round cross-section ring, and an omega-type shackle.
The instrument is constructed with a two-piece, soldered mater and limb. The limb displays a degree scale numbered every five degrees. The womb contains a gazetteer with coordinates for 34 cities. The rete is of a foliate (single knob) type, containing five stars identified with foliate pointers. The alidade is double-ended and rigid. This instrument was presented to the History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, by Lewis Evans in 1924.
The provenance indicates Evans acquired the piece in Paris prior to his donation. The assembly includes a central nut and bolt system.
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
- 1647/8 (A.H. 1057)
- Type
- Persian-inscribed astrolabe
- Maker
- Ibn Muḥibb Ḥaqiqa
- Place
- India (?)
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Purchased in Paris by Lewis Evans
- Rete Stars
- 5
- Throne Type
- Indo-Persian, broad type
- Shackle Type
- Omega type
- Place recorded
- India (?)
- Maker / attribution
- Ibn Muḥibb Ḥaqiqa
Design
- Visible features
- • The throne features an elaborate, broad-type silhouette with an integrated attachment base. • The rete is intricately pierced in a foliate design with specific star pointers. • The limb and mater show visible evidence of the two-piece soldered construction.
- The Rete and Alidade
- The rete, the astronomical component used for star mapping, utilizes a foliate, single-knob design. It is populated with five specific stars, each indicated by a foliate pointer. These stars include identifiers such as Deneb Kaitos, Albireo, Altair, Enif, and Skat, each with recorded mediation and declination values. The rete is secured to the center of the instrument using a nut and bolt arrangement. The alidade is a double-ended, rigid tool intended for sighting. It remains in its original state, devoid of additional pinholes or notches, functioning as a primary component for celestial observation aligned with the central pin system.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed from brass and follows an Indo-Persian aesthetic. The throne is a defining feature, described as a broad type, which is attached to the main body via an integrated base. This structural integrity is further supported by the use of an omega-shaped shackle, which connects to a ring with a simple round cross-section. The mater and limb, which form the primary housing for the instrument's plates, are manufactured using a two-piece soldered technique. The limb itself features a circular, concentric degree scale that spans 0 to 360 degrees, with numerical markers at five-degree intervals.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The instrument carries the inventory number 52066 and was donated to the University of Oxford's History of Science Museum by Lewis Evans in 1924. Records confirm that the astrolabe was originally purchased in Paris by Evans prior to its entry into the collection. The womb of the astrolabe is engraved with a comprehensive gazetteer, detailing the coordinates—specifically longitude, latitude, Inhiraf, and Jihat—for 34 major cities across the Islamic world, including Mecca, Baghdad, and Samarqand. This internal data set confirms the practical application of the instrument for determining direction and geographical location.
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 origin is only suggested as India (?) by the catalogue source.
- Research required: The specific modern identity of some stars on the rete remains subject to ongoing verification.