Astrolabe Catalogue

 

Front of astrolabe without rete or plates. Click to enlarge
Date late 18th or early 19th century
Place India
Material Brass
Inventory no. 30402
Acquisition Purchased at Christie's, London, in 1988

Throne

The throne is of the simple, engraved type . The throne is attached with a integrated base. The throne is quite tall and lobed, but atypical of the more ornate Indo-persian thrones. It bears short inscription. Markings:
Content Translation Notes Type
श्रीयंत्रराज The glorious astrolabe Miscellaneous


Ring

The ring is of the other type . A fish-hook shaped hook attaches to a simple ring, which in turn attaches to the shackle

Shackle

Shackle of the omega type (i.e. Ω-shaped shackle). .

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The limb on this mater consists of simply that portion of the mater that extends beyond the rete. Scales on the limb:
Type Range & Units Numbered Geometry Location
Degree 0 - 60 Degrees Every 1 degrees Circular, concentric None

Womb


This instrument is a single plate, the womb being engraved for 27°. The womb is inscribed:
Content Translation Notes Type
अक्षांशा २७ Degrees of latitude 27 Latitude

Almucantars

Divisions Labelled Style
Divided every 1° from 0° to 90° Plain line.

Azimuths

Divisions Labelled Style
Divided every 3°  Labelled every 3° with   (Modern) numerals Plain line.

Circles

Type Labelled Style Notes
Equator विषुवद् वृत्त (Equator) (Sanskrit in Devanagari script) Dotted line. Below the horizon, the line becomes plain
Tropic of Cancer Plain line.
Tropic of Capricorn Plain line.
Prime meridian सममंडल (Prime meridian) (Sanskrit in Devanagari script) Dotted line.

Lines

Type Labelled Description
Meridian line
Horizon rectus
Horizon obliquus पूर्वक्षितिज (Eastern hori (Sanskrit in Devanagari script)
Unequal hours Numbered (Numbers in Devanagari script) (Modern), Plain line style.
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