North African Astrolabe, late 19th century
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th century
This brass astrolabe is dated to the late 19th century and attributed to North African origin. It features a simple throne with an integrated base, a round-section ring, and a rotating pin-type shackle.
Notably, the base of each star pointer is embellished with a silver stud, and the underside of the rete bears the stamped word 'PATENT', suggesting it was cut from previously repurposed European brass. The instrument includes three plates with latitudes from 21° to 35°, a double-ended alidade with decorative scroll-work, and a nut and bolt assembly. It was presented to the History of Science 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
- late 19th century
- Type
- Arabic-inscribed astrolabe, North Africa
- Place
- North Africa
- Material
- Brass
- Provenance
- Acquired from Percy Webster in 1916
- Star count
- 19
- Place recorded
- North Africa
Design
- Visible features
- • Silver studs are present at the base of each star pointer on the rete. • The rete features four rotational knobs. • The word 'PATENT' is stamped on the back of the rete. • The alidade is double-ended with scroll-work near the pivot.
- Construction and Design
- The instrument is constructed primarily of brass and features a simple throne design characterized by a large single lobe flanked by two scrolls. The mater and limb are produced via a two-piece soldered and riveted process. The limb includes scales for equal hours and degrees of arc, while the womb exhibits circular decorative scratching. The rete displays an indicator-line style and is equipped with four rotational knobs. Each of the 19 star pointers is fitted with a silver stud, which the documentation notes were applied after the engraving of the star names, as the studs partially obscure some lettering. The back of the instrument supports six distinct scales, including altitude, zodiacal signs, calendar, unequal hours, and a shadow square.
- Provenance and Acquisition
- The astrolabe was part of the collection of Lewis Evans, who acquired the piece from the London dealer Percy Webster in 1916. Following his collecting activities, Evans presented the instrument to the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford in 1924. The object is catalogued under inventory number 47714 and carries the museum accession number 1924-0/2018. It has been documented as part of the museum's broader catalogue of western Islamic instruments.
- Inscriptions and Repurposed Material
- The engraving on the rete employs a monumental Kufic script for the star and zodiacal names. Uniquely, the maker incorporated modern European numerals for the ecliptic markings. The rete itself bears the stamped word 'PATENT' on its reverse side. The presence of this stamp is interpreted as evidence that the brass plate used for the rete was recycled from an earlier, unrelated object of European manufacture.
Identification
- Accession
- 1924-0/2018
- Serial number
- 47714
- Inventory Number
- 47714
- 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 'PATENT' mark is suggested to indicate reused material, though the specific original application is unknown.
- Research required: The exact workshop or specific locale of manufacture within North Africa is not identified.