Astrolabe, by Muhammad Muqim, Lahore, 1641/2

Inventory Number:

46935

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Muhammad Muqim (Maker (Signed by))

Date Created:

Dated 1051 A.H. (1641/2 CE)

Place Created:

Lahore Pakistan Asia

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1957-84/160

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 (see for example 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 "The work of the least of the servants Muhammad Muqim ibn `Isa ibn Allah-dad Humayun's astrolabist of Lahore". Engraved on the back in a circle below the central hole. في سنة ١٠٥١ هجرية "In the year 1051 of the Hijra". Engraved below the shadow-square.

Provenance:

Presented by J. A. Billmeir with his collection.

Collection Group:

Billmeir Collection

Material(s):

Brass
silk

Dimensions: