Brass Astrolabe by Muḥammad Ṣaffār
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1505/06 (A.H. 911)
It features a one-piece mater and limb construction with a degree scale on the limb, a simple engraved throne, and an omega-type shackle. The instrument is equipped with a rete of the indicator-line type, featuring a small bird-shaped star pointer for Vega.
The alidade is of an unusual design, constructed from two intersecting rules: one is slightly curved with a single sighting vane, while the other is straight with two sighting vanes. The assembly is secured by a pin and horse, though the auction house notes the pin is excessively long, indicating a potential later replacement. The back displays a maker's signature and a shadow square inscribed with scales for finger and foot shadows.
The astrolabe was presented to the History of Science Museum by J. A. Billmeir in 1957.
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
- 1505/06 (A.H. 911)
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe, Iran
- Maker
- Muḥammad Ṣaffār
- Material
- Brass
- Signature
- Shams ad-Dīn Muḥammad Ṣaffār
- Acquisition
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957
- Place recorded
- Persia
- Place of origin
- Persia
- Maker / attribution
- Muḥammad Ṣaffār
- Alidade construction
- Double-ended, two intersecting rules
Design
- Visible features
- • Small bird-shaped star pointer on the rete • Unusual alidade made of two intersecting rules • Shadow square on the back includes upside-down text • Simple omega-shaped shackle
- Alidade and Assembly
- The sighting mechanism is distinctive, featuring a double-ended alidade constructed from two intersecting rules. One rule is slightly curved and equipped with a single sighting vane, while the second is straight and fitted with two sighting vanes. This configuration deviates from standard single-rule alidade designs found on many instruments. The assembly of the rete and alidade is maintained by a pin and horse. The current pin is noted as being of excessive length, which suggests it is a later replacement rather than an original component. There is a possibility that the horse is also a replacement, as a thicker version would be required to compensate for the slack present in the pin assembly.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed primarily of brass and utilizes a one-piece mater and limb. The limb features a circular, concentric degree scale marked from 0 to 360 degrees, incremented every 5 degrees. The throne is of a simple, engraved style with an integrated base, supporting a simple, squared cross-section ring and an omega-type shackle. The rete is of the simple, indicator-line type and includes a single rotation knob positioned in the lower-left portion. A notable decorative feature on the rete is the star pointer for Vega, which is fashioned as a small bird. The instrument lacks hook-pointer star markings, relying instead on the established geometric layout of the rete.
- Inscriptions and Provenance
- The back of the instrument carries a maker’s signature and a shadow square. The Arabic inscription identifies the maker as Shams ad-Dīn Muḥammad Ṣaffār and provides the date A.H. 911 (1505/06). The shadow square contains labels for the 'shadow of the fingers' and the 'shadow of the feet', with text positioned upside down within the square. Formerly part of the Chadenat Collection in La Ferté-Bernard, the astrolabe was subsequently acquired by the museum. It was presented to the collection by J. A. Billmeir in 1957 and is held under the accession number 1957-84/158.
Identification
- Accession number
- 51182
- 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 pin appears to be a later replacement due to its length
- Research required: The horse may also be a replacement