Astrolabe report (inventory number 42437)

astrolabe, inventory number 42437 from Italy, 19th century (?)

Date	19th century (?)
Place	Italy
Material	Brass
Inventory no.	42437
Acquisition	Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

This astrolabe changed hands between collectors at the beginning of the 20th century, and was already considered as at least 'roughly made', and more probably a fake.

Some of its features are however more interestingly idiosyncratic than might be expected. The stereographic projection of the ecliptic on the rete always gives less space for the summer zodiac signs on a northern hemisphere astrolabe. It is notable for its alternate names for the zodiacal signs. Here this limitation is accommodated in the sequence of signs by using symbols for the summer signs and words for winter.

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Throne, Ring and Shackle

The throne is of the simple type made of brass attached with integrated base made of brass . More information

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The limb is particularly broad. Scales on the limb: degree scale; equal hours scale.

The limb is inscribed: with a direction marked as Auster (Southern). with a direction marked as Zephurus (Western). with a direction marked as Boreas (Northern). with a direction marked as Eurus (Northern). More information

Back

The back contains 3 scales of the following types: Declination; Calendar; Zodiacal signs. More information

Rete, Nut & Bolt

The rete contains 4 stars. The zodiac on the rete is labelled: ♈ , ♉ , ♊ , ♋ , ♌ , ♍ , Libra , Scorpi , Arciter , Caper , Ampho , Pisc .
The rete is attached using a nut & bolt. More information

Plates

There is one plate for latitude 50°0' . More information

Rules & Alidades

Type	Details
Rule	Double-ended, counter-changed. The rule is not original.
Alidade	Double-ended, counter-changed. The rule is not original.

More information

Astrolabe Catalogue