Astrolabe Catalogue

Instrument makers in North Africa continued to make astrolabes well into the nineteenth century. The rete to the right reflects a number of features common to western instruments. The words are written in the clear, monumental Kufic script. Above the names of the zodiacal signs, engraved along the ecliptic, the maker chose to use modern European numerals rather than Arabic numbers. The base of each star pointer is embellished with a silver stud. These studs cover over some of the letters, indicating that they were added to the rete after the words had been engraved. In the picture, this is most clearly seen on the names of the stars around the central pivot hole.

Two further design features are common to astrolabes from North Africa. The open circle at the bottom of the rete, visible in the picture, figures prominently on many of the North African astrolabes in the Museum's collection. Likewise, the four rotational knobs, of which two are visible in the picture, are regularly found on the western Islamic instruments in the collection.

The brass from which this rete was cut was evidently recycled from something of European manufacture. On the back of the rete, near the bottom, are stamped the letters 'PATENT' in a curve. See additional images.

The letters 'PATENT' stamped on the back of the rete;

View all images for this astrolabe
View detailed provenance for this astrolabe