Astrolabe report (inventory number 49033)

astrolabe, inventory number 49033 from Spain (?), ca. 1250

Date	ca. 1250
Place	Spain (?)
Material	Brass
Inventory no.	49033
Acquisition	Presented by Lewis Evans in 1924

Though not signed or dated, this is understood to be the earliest Western astrolabe in the Oxford collection. The design of the rete has been influenced by Muslim precedents and the astrolabe may have been made in Spain.

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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 and omega type shackle made of brass . More information

Mater

The mater and limb are of two pieces, riveted construction. The notch for the tabs on the plates is at the throne. Scales on the limb: degree scale. More information

Back

The scales on the back have not been completed. The shadow square is not labeled or numbered, and the calendrical table (based on the 28-year solar cycle) has not been completed. The back contains 4 scales of the following types: Zodiacal signs; Calendar; Shadow square; Solar cycle. More information

Rete, Pin & Horse

The rete contains 21 stars. The zodiac on the rete is labelled: ARIES , TAVR⁹ , GEMI , CANC' , LEO , VIRGO , LIBRA , SCORPIVS , SAGITT , CAPRIC , AQVARI⁹ , PISCES .
The rete is attached using a pin & horse. More information

Plates

There are 4 plates with latitudes ranging from 30°0' to 60°0' . More information

Rules & Alidades

Type	Details
Alidade	Double-ended, counter-changed. Both tips have broken off. There is an usual and seemingly useless notch on the bottom of each sighting vane.

More information

Astrolabe Catalogue