Brass Astrolabe, Inventory 41468
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
ca. 1400
This brass astrolabe, designated inventory number 41468, is attributed to Paris with an approximate date of 1400. It was presented to the History of Science Museum by Lewis Evans in 1924.
The instrument features a simple, engraved throne with integrated supports and an omega-shaped shackle, the latter decorated with a six-petalled flower at the pin point. The mater and limb are constructed from two soldered pieces, with the limb featuring a circular degree scale. The rete is of the full indicator-line type and includes 28 stars marked with flamant pointers and a dragon's head on the Tropic of Capricorn.
The instrument is equipped with four plates covering latitudes from 41° to 52°. The back displays four scales—degree, zodiacal, calendar, and shadow square—alongside construction marks including circles and angles.
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
- ca. 1400
- Type
- Latin-inscribed astrolabe
- Plates
- 4
- Material
- Brass
- Acquisition
- Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924
- Place recorded
- Paris (?)
- Rete star count
- 28
- Place of manufacture
- Paris (?)
Design
- Visible features
- • The rete features a dragon’s head located on the Tropic of Capricorn. • The shackle is omega-shaped with a flower-like detail. • The back side includes a central shadow square and various concentric circular scales.
- Rete and Astronomical Features
- The rete is categorized as an indicator-line full type, containing 28 stars marked with flamant pointers. The zodiacal signs are labeled individually along the ecliptic, including abbreviations such as 'ARI', 'TAV', 'GEMI', 'CANC', 'LEO', 'VIR', 'LIB', 'SCOR', 'SAGIT', 'CAP’COR', 'AQU”RI', and 'PISCC'. Modern replacement parts include the pin, wedge, rule, and alidade, with the latter being a double-ended, counter-changed, rigid component.
- General Construction and Throne
- The astrolabe is fabricated from brass and consists of a mater and limb formed by two soldered pieces. The instrument is designed with a simple, engraved throne featuring integrated supports. A distinct structural element is the omega-shaped shackle, which incorporates a six-petalled flower decoration at the point where the pin extends through the assembly. Construction marks remain visible on the back of the instrument, specifically consisting of circles and angles used to layout the shadow square. The upper half of the rear surface is left blank, while the remainder is occupied by four distinct scales: degree, zodiacal, calendar, and shadow square, the latter marked in fingers.
- Provenance and Historical Context
- The instrument was accessioned in 1924 following its presentation by Lewis Evans, though formal acquisition records do not specify the source from which Evans obtained the piece. The cataloguing body notes that Evans' donation is assigned the inventory number 41468. Although the exact origin remains tentative, the inclusion of a plate specifically calibrated for the latitude of 48° 49' provides evidence that the astrolabe was originally intended for use in Paris. This association with the Parisian latitude is the primary basis for the attributed place of manufacture.
Identification
- Reference
- 41468
- Inventory number
- 41468
- 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 rule and alidade are identified as modern replacements.
- Research required: The manufacture location is provided with a question mark as 'Paris (?)'.