Small planispheric astrolabe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
c. 1650 (made 1645-1655)
This small brass and silver planispheric astrolabe, dated to circa 1650 and made between 1645 and 1655 in Iran, features Arabic script inscriptions. The instrument is equipped with five plates and an openwork rete decorated with silver studs.
The Science Museum Group catalogue records that the reverse side is engraved with a universal Gemma Frisius projection scale. Measuring 90 by 70 by 20 millimetres overall, the instrument is assigned international checklist number IC 1057 and was presented by Miss E. Court.
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
- Astrolabe
- Credit
- Miss E. Court
- Date Made
- 1645-1655
- Materials
- brass and silver
- Measurements
- overall: 90 x 70 x 20 mm
- Place recorded
- Iran
- International Checklist
- IC 1057
Design
- Visible features
- • Front face showing an openwork rete mounted over an engraved brass plate • Numerous rounded dark silver studs situated on the star pointers of the rete • Suspension throne and shackle ring fitted at the top edge of the circular brass body • Central pin and rule or pointer mechanism secured at the center of the rete • Arabic characters engraved around the outer raised limb of the mater
- Origin and Chronology
- The astrolabe is assigned the international checklist number IC 1057. It is catalogued as dating to approximately 1650, with a specified period of manufacture between 1645 and 1655. The record states the object was made in Iran and includes the note that it 'may be Persian'.
- Physical Configuration
- The astrolabe is a small-format instrument, constructed from brass and silver, measuring 90 x 70 x 20 mm. The assembly includes a circular brass body fitted with a suspension throne and shackle ring at the top edge. The obverse face features an openwork rete mounted over an engraved brass plate. The star pointers of the rete are detailed with rounded silver studs, and a central pin and rule mechanism is present.
- Component and Epigraphic Details
- The instrument is equipped with five plates. Inscriptions in Arabic characters are engraved around the outer raised limb of the mater. The reverse side is documented as being engraved with a universal Gemma Frisius projection scale; this side is not visible in the provided image.
Identification
- Reference
- 1951-287
- Object Number
- 1951-287
- 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 reverse side showing the universal Gemma Frisius projection scale is not visible in the provided photo
- Research required: Origin is stated as made in Iran though catalogued with the note 'may be Persian'