Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Front of astrolabe without rete or plates. Click to enlarge
Date 1719/20 (A.H. 1132)
Maker ‘Abd al-A’imma
Place Iṣfahān
Material Brass
Inventory no. 46681
Acquisition Presented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

Throne

The throne is of the indo-persian, engraved type . The throne is attached with a integrated base. The front of the throne bears an inscription. The back is decorated with foliage. The throne is crowned with a spade-shaped tab to which the shackle attaches.

Ring

The ring is of the simple, squared cross-section type (i.e. a simple ring made from a round rod or piece of metal). Not uncommonly, the metal used to make this ring was not round but more of a rounded square shape.

Shackle

Shackle of the omega type (i.e. Ω-shaped shackle). This shackle is rather ornate, both in the decoration on the ring and the carved tabs that attache to the throne..

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The tab used to hold tympans in place is located 180° from the throne. Scales on the limb:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Degree 0 - 360 Every 5  Circular, concentric None

Womb


The womb is engraved with a gazeteer. The city names are embossed against an ornate background. The remainder of the table includes longitude, latitude, inḥirāf, and the jihā..
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