Astrolabe, by Ahamad and Muhammad the Sons of Ibrahim, Isfahan, 984/5 or 1003/4

Object is on display.

Inventory Number:

33767

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Ahamad and Muhammad the sons of Ibrahim

Date Created:

Dated A.H. 374 or 394 (984/5 or 1003/4 CE)

Place Created:

Isfahan Iran/Persia Asia

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1924-0/part

Brief Description:

This is the oldest dated Persian astrolabe in the world together with a similar astrolabe currently at the Museum of Islamic Art of Doha also dated A.H. 374 (984-985 CE) (MIA SI.5.1999). It combines elements of early and later astrolabes, of western and eastern astrolabes. Some star pointers are dagger shaped while others start to assume the typical Persian foliate form. It is inscribed in Kufi script, like western astrolabes while the later eastern astrolabes are engraved in the more rounded naskhi script. A very interesting feature of this object is the set of planetary symbols used on the back of the instrument. These are derived from Greek planetary symbols and used instead of the more common use of the last letter of the planet's name.

Primary Inscriptions:

بسم الله وبعون الله باليمن والدولة وباﻹقبال والسعادة ألف هذا الأصطرلاب أحمد ومحمد أبناء ٳبراهيم الأصطرلابي الأصفهاني سنة أربع وتسعين وثلثمائة "In the name of God, and by the help of God. With prosperity and success and good fortune and happiness, this astrolabe was composed by Aḥmad and Muḥammad, sons of Ibrāhīm, maker of astrolabes from Isfahan, the year 394". Engraved across the middle of the back.

Provenance:

Presented by Lewis Evans. Formerly in the collection of Professor Y. Daweed.

Collection Group:

Lewis Evans Collection

Material(s):

Brass

Dimensions: