Astrolabe, by Muhammad Muqim, Lahore, 1643/4

Object is on display.

Inventory Number:

43704

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Muhammad Muqim (Maker (Signed by))

Date Created:

Dated 1053 A.H. (1643/4 CE)

Place Created:

Lahore Pakistan Asia

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1924-0/part

Brief Description:

This astrolabe belongs to the production of the famous Lahore workshop of which we know only through the signatures on a group of objects, of which this belongs. The workshop was established by Allahdad in the mid-1500s CE, and who signs a couple of astrolabes (47376). This astrolabe is signed by one of his grandsons. He gives his name on this astrolabe as "Muhammad Muqim ibn Isa ibn Allahdad Humayun's astrolabist of Lahore" with some very slight variations from the other signatures of the same maker (37530). Like his brother Qa'im Muhammad, Muhammad Muqim used the phrase "Asturlabi Humayuni Lahuri" to describe his grandfather. The phrase might mean no more than that Allahdad worked in the time of the emperor Humayun, but the family may have intended and would certainly have preferred the more prestigious interpretation that Allahdad was the emperor's own astrolabist. Humayun was certainly reported to have "an extraordinary interest and proficiency in the astrolabe".

A peculiarity of this astrolabe is the presence of multiple dates, likely added by successive owners.

Primary Inscriptions:

صنعت أضعف العباد محمد مقيم ابن عيسى ابن الهداد اسطرلابي همايوني لاهوري "Work of the least of servants, Muhammad Muqim ibn `Isa ibn Allah-dad Humayun's astrolabist of Lahore". Engraved on the back, in the lower right-hand quadrant, along right edge of shadow square. فى سنه ١٢٢١ "In the year 1221". Engraved on the back, in the lower right-hand quadrant, outside the shadow square. فى سنه سكندرى ١٩٥٥ غظنه "In the year of Alexander 1955 1955". Engraved on the left-hand quadrant, outside the shadow square. The year is written twice, once in modern Arabic numerals and once in abdjad numbers فى سنه هجرى ١٠٥٣ غنج "In the Hijri year 1053 1053". Engraved on the back, in the lower right-hand quadrant, outside the shadow square. The year is written twice, once in modern Arabic numerals and once in abdjad numbers

Provenance:

Presented by Lewis Evans. It was purchased by Evans at a sale at Carpenden Park, Bushey, Watford, July 1909.

Collection Group:

Lewis Evans Collection

Material(s):

Brass

Dimensions: