Astrolabe Catalogue

 
astrolabe, inventory number 39063 from Persia, 1481/2
thumbnail for astrolabe (front), inventory number 39063 from Persia, 1481/2
thumbnail for astrolabe (back), inventory number 39063 from Persia, 1481/2
thumbnail for astrolabe (rete front), inventory number 39063 from Persia, 1481/2
Date1481/2
MakerMuḥammad Ṣaffār
PlacePersia
MaterialBrass
Inventory no.39063
AcquisitionPresented by Lewis Evans in 1924

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Throne, Ring and Shackle

The throne is of the indo-persian type made of brass attached with integrated base made of brass and has a simple, round cross-section ring made of brass and omega type shackle made of brass . More information

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. Scales on the limb: degree scale. More information

Back

There are two different scripts on the back of this instrument: a Kufic and a Nashki style.. The back contains 7 scales of the following types: Altitude; Declination; Sine/Cosine; Cotangent; Shadow square. The back is inscribed: with a maker's signature marked as هذه الأصطرلاب العبد الفقير ٳلى الله الغفار في سنة ست وثمانين وثمان مائة شمس الدين محمد صفار (This astrolabe (was made by) the servant, yearning for God the much-forgiving, Shams ad-Dīn Muḥammad Ṣaffār, in the year 886.). Inscription in the lower half. with a scale label marked as ظل الأصابع عمد ظل الأقدام مديد (The shadow of the fingers is vertical / The shadow of the feet is extended.). Upside down within the shadow square. More information

Rete, Pin & Horse

The rete contains 0 stars. The zodiac on the rete is labelled: الحمل , الثور , الجوزا , السرطان , الاسد , السنبله , الميزان , العقرب , القوس , الجدي , الدلو , الحوت .
The rete is attached using a pin & horse. The horse is most likely a replacement.. More information

Plates

There are 4 plates with latitudes ranging from 21°0' to 36°0' . More information

Rules & Alidades

Type Details
AlidadeDouble-ended. The rule is not original. The rule does not fit the instrument well and appears to be engraved in a different hand, suggesting that it is not original..
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