Inventory no. 54424 - Former Display Label
46
?Flemish ASTROLABE
Early 17th century
Not signed or dated. Brass. Diam.: 258 mm.
Rete for 18 stars. 3 plates for latitudes 38°, 39°; 40°, and 41°; the third plate is blank on one side and on the other is engraved with a zodiac/calendar scale (Gregorian; concentric type), a shadow-square, a diagram for the conversion of equal and unequal hours, and the positions of 4 stars.
A small compass is set in the suspension piece, two sight-vanes are attached to the edge of the limb, and there are holes in the centre of the back-plate for fixing a universal joint or tripod head; these features permitted the use of the astrolabe in a horizontal plane as a surveying instrument, i.e. like a circumferentor. On the back there is a universal projection of the Rojas type. The alidade is marked with scales of Italian and Babylonian hours.
Formerly in the Henri Michel Collection, Brussels.
[57-84/18]
Billmeir Collection