The Hunter's Astrolabe
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
17th century
This 17th-century brass astrolabe, identified as inventory number 54607, is held by the History of Science Museum at the University of Oxford. Known as 'The Hunter's Astrolabe' due to the distinctive hunting scene engraved on its Indo-Persian style throne, the instrument was presented by Lewis Evans in 1924.
The device consists of a mater and limb constructed in one piece, with a tab positioned at the bottom to secure internal plates. The instrument features a foliate-style rete without marked stars, and includes five plates covering latitudes from 29°0' to 40°0'. The back of the instrument features an alidade, which is double-ended and original to the piece.
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
- 17th century
- Type
- Astrolabe
- Material
- Brass
- Acquisition
- Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924
- Throne Type
- Indo-Persian, engraved
- Shackle Type
- Omega
- Latitude Range
- 29°0' to 40°0'
- Place recorded
- Persia
- Place of Manufacture
- Persia
Design
- Visible features
- • Hunting scene engraved on the throne • Foliate-style rete with Arabic zodiacal labels • Double-ended alidade with sine/cosine scales • One-piece mater and limb construction
- Alidade and Provenance
- The original double-ended alidade is rigid and features simple, un-notched sights. It is engraved with sine/cosine scales ranging from 0 to 60 units of the quadrant radius, as well as an unequal hour scale ranging from 1 to 12. The instrument, accessioned under number 1924-0/2005, was acquired by Lewis Evans from a London dealer named Garcia around 1880. It was later formally presented to the museum in 1924. R. T. Gunther provided the moniker 'The Hunter's Astrolabe' in his 1932 publication, The Astrolabes of the World, observing that the decorative theme suggests the specific interests of its original owner.
- Rete and Internal Components
- The rete is executed in a foliate, single-knob style and serves to display the zodiacal signs, which are labeled in Arabic script. Notably, there are no stars indicated on the rete with bulb pointers. The rete is secured to the mater using a simple pin and horse assembly. Five internal plates are provided, which accommodate various latitudes ranging from 29°0' to 40°0'. These plates are held in a fixed position by a tab at the base of the mater. The limb features a degree scale marked from 0 to 360 degrees, with divisions every five degrees.
- Throne and Exterior Construction
- The astrolabe features an Indo-Persian style throne, characterized by its engraved decoration. A focal point of the design is the front of the throne, which displays an intricate hunting scene. This imagery is set amidst foliate ornamentation, a common motif in Persian astrolabe design, often used alongside calligraphic elements. The suspension mechanism is composed of a simple, round cross-section ring attached to an omega-shaped shackle. These components, like the main body of the instrument, are crafted from brass. The mater and limb are built as a single-piece construction, and a tab located at the bottom of the limb serves to prevent the internal plates from rotating during use.
Identification
- Reference
- 54607
- Inventory Number
- 54607
- 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 identity of the original patron remains unverified
- Research required: The specific Persian workshop or maker is not recorded