Brass Astrolabe with Zawraq Rete
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
17th century
This 17th-century brass astrolabe (inventory 33796) features a distinctive 'zawraq' or ship-style rete, which incorporates two horizon bands and two meridian bands.
The instrument comprises a mater with a one-piece limb inscribed with a gazetteer of 69 cities, a pierced Indo-Persian throne, and eight plates covering latitudes from 18° to 66°. The back of the instrument is engraved with 12 distinct scales, including altitude, declination, and shadow squares. The rete, designed for use with two local latitudes, lacks star pointers. The instrument is equipped with a double-ended alidade, though the pin and horse are considered non-original.
The alidade exhibits minor damage, including cracks at the base of the left sight, and the sights appear slightly loose and askew.
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
- 17th century
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- The Gunther Collection
- Place recorded
- India (?)
- Place of origin
- India (?)
- Plates quantity
- 8
- Acquisition date
- 1986
- City gazetteer count
- 69
Design
- Visible features
- • The rete features two horizon and meridian bands in a 'ship' configuration. • The limb is engraved with a gazetteer listing coordinates for 69 cities. • The back includes 12 scales for various astronomical calculations. • The throne is an Indo-Persian pierced brass type with an omega-shaped shackle.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed primarily of brass and features a one-piece mater and limb. The throne is of a pierced, Indo-Persian type, supported by integrated brass elements and a round cross-section ring. The instrument is suspended by an omega-shaped shackle attached via an iron pin, which is currently oxidized. The limb serves as a degree scale and contains a comprehensive gazetteer listing coordinates for 69 cities. The rete is of a foliate, single-knob design, incorporating two horizon bands and two meridian bands. These bands are visualized as representing ships with masts, and the zodiacal signs are labeled in Arabic script. Eight separate plates are included, facilitating use across latitudes ranging from 18 to 66 degrees.
- Provenance and Condition
- This astrolabe was previously part of the Gunther Collection, founded by R. T. Gunther, and was included in his publication, 'The Astrolabes of the World', prior to 1932. It was subsequently acquired by the museum in 1986. The object currently displays signs of age and wear. The alidade is described as double-ended but exhibits structural issues, specifically loose sights and a crack at the base of the left sight. Additionally, the pin and horse components are believed to be later, non-original additions to the instrument. The iron pin for the shackle is noted to be oxidized, consistent with the age of the metallic materials.
- Astronomical Scales and Features
- The back of the astrolabe is highly functional, housing 12 distinct astronomical scales. These include multiple altitude scales, declination markers, and an azimuth of the Qibla. Furthermore, the instrument provides sine, cosine, and cotangent scales, alongside a shadow square for calculating heights and distances. These are arranged in concentric circular and box-type formats on the back plate. The instrument also incorporates lunar mansions and zodiacal sign markings, providing additional utilities for timekeeping and astrological calculations. While the rete is equipped with zodiacal labels, it contains no star pointers, a detail suggesting a specialized or focused function within its historical context.
Identification
- Inventory Number
- 33796
- 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 and horse are reported as not original to the instrument.
- Research required: The origin is tentatively attributed to India.
- Research required: The alidade is noted as having cracks at the base of the left sight.