Gothic Astrolabe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 15th century
This unsigned brass astrolabe has a diameter of 280 mm and is attributed to the late 15th century and possibly France. The instrument features a barrel-shaped throne with an inset swivel pin and a mater with a rim soldered to the backplate.
The rim is engraved with a 24-hour scale. The rete includes worm-shaped star pointers, while the mater and plates feature equatorial and tropical circles, azimuths, almucantars, and lines for unequal hours. The reverse of the instrument contains an altitude scale, a zodiacal scale, a Julian calendar, a shadow scale, and an horary quadrant. The engravings utilize Gothic numerals and letters. The astrolabe is associated with the Fusoris type of construction.
It was acquired in 1857 and is currently held in the collection of the British Museum in London.
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
- Late 15th century
- Type
- Fusoris type
- Origin
- Possibly French
- Diameter
- 280 mm
- Place recorded
- France
- Engraving style
- Gothic
- Registration number
- MLA 1857,5-23.1
Design
- Visible features
- • Barrel-shaped throne with swivel pin • Worm-shaped star pointers on the rete • Engraved with Gothic numerals and letters • Rim soldered to the backplate
- Construction and Design
- The astrolabe is constructed of brass and measures 280 mm in diameter. The main body consists of a mater with a rim soldered to the backplate, featuring an interior recess at 12 o'clock intended to secure the tongues of the plates. The instrument is equipped with a barrel-shaped throne containing an inset swivel pin. The rete is characterized by worm-shaped star pointers, with 20 stars named in Latin. The ecliptic is divided into zodiacal signs, each subdivided into 30 degrees. The mater and plates are inscribed with coordinate systems, including circles for the equator and tropics, azimuths, and almucantars, alongside lines for unequal hours.
- Backplate Scales and Markings
- The back of the astrolabe is engraved with multiple concentric circular scales. These include a 360-degree altitude scale, a zodiacal scale with Latin sign names, and a Julian calendar scale featuring month names and day divisions. The equinoxes are positioned at March 10 3/4 and September 13 3/4. The lower portion of the backplate contains a shadow scale based on 12 and an horary quadrant for unequal hours, numbered 1 to 12. Both the one-armed rule and the counterchanged alidade appear to be blank, containing no markings or engravings.
- Provenance and Identification
- The instrument is currently housed at the British Museum under registration number MLA 1857,5-23.1. It was acquired by the museum in 1857 through a purchase from A. Joseph. The astrolabe has been catalogued by F. A. B. Ward. While the instrument is unsigned and undated, its stylistic features, specifically the letterforms and numerals, have been interpreted as being consistent with production in the latter half of the 15th century. It is identified as being of the Fusoris type, with the source noting a possible French origin.
Identification
- 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: Date is based on the shape of letters and numerals, noted with a question mark by the source
- Research required: Attribution to France is suggested but not certain