Brass Astrolabe, 1678 (A.H. 1089)
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1678 (A.H. 1089)
This brass astrolabe, designated inventory number 43559, is attributed to Turkey with a date of 1678 (A.H. 1089). The construction features a two-piece mater and limb assembly, with a simple throne attached by an integrated base.
The instrument includes a foliate-type rete with zodiac labels, though it contains no stars. It is suspended by a simple round-section ring and an omega-shaped shackle. The back of the astrolabe is engraved with six scales, including altitude, sine/cosine, declination, shadow square, and cotangent scales. The instrument is equipped with four plates covering latitudes from 21° to 43° and features a double-ended original alidade.
The device shows visible repairs with solder around the base of the limb and the lower left quadrant of the womb. The object was presented to the collection by Lewis Evans in 1924, having been acquired from Vitali Francis Frères in Algeria in 1911.
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
- 1678 (A.H. 1089)
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe, Near East
- Material
- Brass
- Alidade type
- Double-ended
- Throne style
- Simple type
- Place recorded
- Turkey
- Number of plates
- 4
- Construction method
- Two pieces, soldered
Design
- Visible features
- • Omega-shaped shackle • Simple, round cross-section ring • Visible solder repairs on the limb and womb • Foliate-type rete with no stars
- Back Scales and Alidade
- The reverse of the astrolabe features six distinct scales utilized for astronomical calculation. These include altitude scales (0–90 degrees), sine/cosine scales, declination, a shadow square, and cotangent scales. The shadow square is engraved with feet and fingers measurements. The alidade is double-ended and remains in original condition. It is a simple, rigid design without sights or notches, functioning as the primary sighting tool on the back of the instrument.
- Provenance and Condition
- The instrument was donated to the collection by Lewis Evans in 1924, accessioned under number 1924-0/2006. Historical records indicate that Evans purchased the item in 1911 from the firm Vitali Francis Frères, based in Algeria. The physical condition of the instrument shows signs of historic repair. Significant amounts of solder are present around the base of the limb and in the lower left quadrant of the womb, indicating that the instrument was previously repaired in that area.
- Instrument Construction and Components
- The astrolabe is constructed from brass and consists of a two-piece mater and limb assembly joined by soldering. The throne is a simple type, secured by an integrated base, and carries the engraved date of 1678. The instrument is suspended via an omega-shaped shackle attached to a simple, round-section ring. The front of the device includes a foliate-type rete, which displays labels for the twelve zodiac signs but possesses no star markers. Four plates are provided, accommodating a range of latitudes from 21° to 43°.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 43559
- 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 attributed to Turkey, but the source does not provide a specific maker's name.
- Research required: The repair history is visible, but the specific timeframe of the documented solder application is not provided.