Middle Eastern planispheric astrolabe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
16th - 19th C.
This unsigned engraved brass planispheric astrolabe is attributed to the Middle East between the 16th and 19th centuries. The instrument features a raised throne engraved with scrolling foliate motifs and an attached suspension shackle.
Its inscriptions are rendered in naskh script, with the mater recording the names of major Islamic cities including Mecca, Medina, Sanaa, Cairo, Aleppo, and Baghdad. The pierced foliate rete is engraved with standard zodiacal designations. The auction house notes the astrolabe is accompanied by interchangeable tympani for astronomical observations while travelling.
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
- Type
- Scientific instrument
- Weight
- 612 g
- Material
- Brass
- Dimensions
- H 17.6, W 12.3 cm
- Maker attribution
- Unsigned
Design
- Visible features
- • High-arched throne decorated with scrolling foliate engraving and an integral suspension loop • Openwork rete featuring curvilinear pointers and an eccentric zodiac circle • Central rule or alidade arm secured across the front face with a rounded central pin
- Physical Configuration
- This unsigned instrument is crafted from brass and measures 17.6 cm in height by 12.3 cm in width, with a weight of 612 g. The construction includes a raised throne featuring scrolling foliate engravings, which supports a simple shackle attached to a hole. The front face includes a pierced foliate rete featuring curvilinear pointers. A central rule or alidade is held in place by a rounded central pin.
- Dating and Auxiliary Components
- The instrument is attributed to the Middle East, dated to the 16th through 19th centuries. It is unsigned. The source documentation contains inconsistent data regarding the number of additional tympani: the header specifies four, while the body text identifies a set of three.
- Inscriptions and Geographical Data
- The instrument features text rendered in naskh, an Oriental cursive script. The mater contains a list of major Islamic cities, specifically identified as Mecca, Medina, Ṣanʿāʾ, Cairo, and Aleppo. Standard zodiacal designations are engraved on the rete, including terms such as al-ḥūt for Pisces, al-thawr for Taurus, and al-sunbula for Virgo.
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: Broad dating range spanning the 16th to 19th centuries without specific year
- Research required: Middle Eastern origin is regionally attributed rather than tied to a specific country of manufacture
- Research required: Discrepancy in catalogue text describing four additional tympani in the header versus a set of three other tympani in the body