German Brass Astrolabe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1521
This 1521 German astrolabe, inventory 47657, is constructed primarily of brass and features a three-lobed throne decorated with five-petalled flowers and floral engravings.
The instrument includes a mater and limb of one-piece construction, with a thick brass wire set into the scored edge of the limb. The back displays a diagram of celestial spheres with planetary symbols and five distinct scales: degree, zodiacal signs, calendar, lunar mansions, and a shadow square. The ecliptic-type rete carries 37 stars marked with flamant, knob, and engraved pointers, featuring labels for South (AVST℞) and North (BORIALE+).
It is accompanied by three plates with latitudes ranging from 35° to 52° and retains its original single-ended counter-changed pointer and double-ended counter-changed alidade. The device was presented to the museum by Lewis Evans in 1924.
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
- 1521
- Type
- Latin-inscribed astrolabe
- Origin
- Germany
- Material
- Brass
- Latitudes
- 35°0' to 52°0'
- Star count
- 37
- Acquisition
- Lewis Evans, 1924
- Throne style
- Three-lobed
- Place recorded
- Germany
Design
- Visible features
- • Three-lobed throne with floral decoration • Ecliptic-type rete with 37 stars • Shadow square located in the lower two back quadrants • Eye-bolt type shackle assembly
- Back Plate and Scales
- The reverse side of the instrument serves as a complex astronomical calculator. The upper area displays a diagram depicting the celestial spheres, complete with planetary symbols. Four central blank spheres are present, which the records suggest may have been intended for symbols representing the four elements. The back is organized into five functional circular scales: degree, zodiacal signs, calendar, lunar mansions, and a shadow square. The degree scale covers 0-90 degrees, while the zodiacal scale provides divisions for the signs. The calendar scale tracks the days of the year, complemented by a scale for lunar mansions. In the lower quadrants, a shadow square calibrated from 1 to 12 fingers is engraved, providing the capability to perform height and distance calculations based on shadows.
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is a brass instrument of German manufacture dated 1521. Its structural integrity relies on a three-lobed throne, which is fixed to the body via an integrated base. The lower two lobes feature five-petalled floral motifs, while the upper lobe is finished with floral engraving. The suspension system consists of a simple round cross-section ring attached to an eye-bolt type shackle, which rotates on an ∩-shaped member secured by a pin to the throne. The mater and limb form a singular construction unit. To enhance the edge of the limb, a brass wire is inlaid within a scored groove. The device utilizes a nut and bolt to secure the rete, which is of an unusual ecliptic-type design. The rete features 37 star pointers of varied types, specifically flamant, knobbed, and engraved examples, and is clearly marked for North and South orientations.
- Alidade and Rete Details
- The inclusion of three separate plates allows for varying latitudes from 35 to 52 degrees, extending the utility of the instrument across different geographic regions. The ecliptic scale on the rete is divided into 30-degree segments. The star pointers are categorized with specific astronomical data, such as declination and mediation, visible on the rete itself. These pointers are categorized by type, showing a mix of flamant and engraved styles, with specific stars like Deneb Kaitos, Rigel, and Betelgeuse marked on the rete's surface.
Identification
- Inventory number
- 47657
- 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 exact method of acquisition by Lewis Evans is unrecorded
- Research required: The original purpose of four blank spheres at the center of the back is unverified