Astrolabe Catalogue

 
astrolabe, inventory number 47615 from Europe, 14th century
thumbnail for astrolabe (front), inventory number 47615 from Europe, 14th century
thumbnail for astrolabe (back), inventory number 47615 from Europe, 14th century
thumbnail for astrolabe (rete front), inventory number 47615 from Europe, 14th century
Date14th century
PlaceEurope
MaterialBrass
Inventory no.47615
AcquisitionPresented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

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Throne, Ring and Shackle

The throne is of the three-lobed type made of brass attached with integrated base made of brass and has a simple, band ring made of brass and omega type shackle made of brass . More information

Mater

The mater and limb are of two pieces, riveted construction. Scales on the limb: degree scale. More information

Back

The back contains 6 scales of the following types: Degree; Zodiacal signs; Calendar; Lunar Mansions; Unequal hours; Shadow square. More information

Rete, Pin & Wedge

The rete contains 32 stars. The rete contains zoomorphs: the tropic of capricorn band ends in the head and tail of a dragon. this rete is unusual in that the head of the dragon is on the left-hand end. on the other retes in the collection that have a zoomorphic tropic of capricorn, the head of the dragon is at the other end, indicating the star antares (on this rete that star is labelled 'cor scorpionis'). The zodiac on the rete is labelled: ARIES , TAVRVS , GEMINI , CANCER , LEO , VIRGO , LIBRA , SCORPIO , SAGITTARIVS , CAPRICORN9 , AQVARIVS , PISCES.

The rete contains 1 scale of the following type: Ecliptic.
The rete is attached using a pin & wedge. A spacer fits between the wedge and the rete. More information

Plates

There are 4 plates with latitudes ranging from 33°0' to 45°0' . More information

Rules & Alidades

Type Details
AlidadeDouble-ended, counter-changed.
More information

 

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