Astrolabe Catalogue

 
astrolabe, inventory number 46886 from Persia, ca. 1660
thumbnail for astrolabe (front), inventory number 46886 from Persia, ca. 1660
thumbnail for astrolabe (back), inventory number 46886 from Persia, ca. 1660
thumbnail for astrolabe (rete front), inventory number 46886 from Persia, ca. 1660
Dateca. 1660
MakerMuḥammad Mahdī
PlacePersia
MaterialBrass
Inventory no.46886
AcquisitionPresented by J. A. Billmeir in 1957

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Throne, Ring and Shackle

The throne is of the indo-persian, engraved type made of brass attached with integrated base made of brass and has a simple, round cross-section ring made of silver and eye-bolt type shackle made of brass . More information

Mater

The mater and limb are of one-piece construction. The tab that holds the tympans in place is located at the bottom of the instrument, 180° from the throne. Scales on the limb: degree scale.

The limb is inscribed: with a marked as [along edge]. FARM OUT. More information

Back

The back contains 16 scales of the following types: Altitude; Declination; Azimuth of Qibla; Altitude of noon sun; Sine/Cosine; Cotangent; Terms; Zodiacal signs; Faces; Lunar Mansions; Shadow square; Triplicities. The back is inscribed: with a maker's signature marked as نمقه محمد مهدي ابن محمد أمين البزدي (Embellished by Muḥammad Mahdī son of Muḥammad Amīn al-Yazdī.). In a cartouche. with a miscellaneous marked as غرض نقشيست كه تا باز ماند (The aim of the engraving is that it should remain after me.). At bottom edge. More information

Rete, Pin & Horse

The rete contains 0 stars. The zodiac on the rete is labelled: حمل , ثور , جوزا , سرطان , اسد , سنبله , ميزان , عقرب , قوس , جدي , دلو , حوت .The rete is inscribed with a latitude marked as: [along tropic of capricorn]. [ pending ].
The rete is attached using a pin & horse. A simple pin and horse, neither of which is decorated. More information

Plates

There are 6 plates with latitudes ranging from 22°0' to 66°0' . More information

Rules & Alidades

Type Details
AlidadeDouble-ended.
More information

 

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