Exhibition: The Astrolabe, East and West


A ninth-century astrolabe: the earliest in Oxford

This is the earliest astrolabe in the Oxford collection and instruments in this style are the earliest to have survived. It probably dates from the late ninth century. A characteristic feature of early astrolabes from Syria is the 'dagger' style of the star pointers on the retes. Though inscribed in Arabic, this example has later additions in Armenian.
Closeup of Astrolabe, by Khafif, Syro-Egyptian, late 9th century? (Inv. 47632) Astrolabe, by Khafif, Syro-Egyptian, late 9th century? (Inv. 47632)
Astrolabe, by Khafif, Syro-Egyptian, late 9th century? (Inv. 47632)
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