Astrolabe, by Shaykh Sakkut, Turkish, c. 1800?

Object is on display.

Inventory Number:

47792

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Shaykh Sakkut (Maker)

Date Created:

c. 1800?

Place Created:

Turkey Asia

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1992-24

Brief Description:

This instrument is one of only a handful in the collection that has the Syrian calendar on it. Although the months of the Syrian calendar correspond roughly to those in the Christian calendar, the year begins in the autumn rather than the spring. On this circular scale, the first month (تشرين) is located to the right of the central line at the bottom. The months then progress clockwise around the scale.

The central band contains the zodiacal signs, written in red. Aries (حمل) is at the top, just to the left of the central line. Normally, the Syrian months do not correspond exactly to the zodiacal signs. On this instrument, however, each month equates to a sign.

The innermost circle, however, is something of a mystery. One suggestion is that it represents the length of the longest day in each month. This seems problematic, as the numbers steadily decrease through the year and are not longest in June. Another possible explanation is that this is the date of a new or full moon in each month. This might make sense of the decreasing number each month, as the phases of the moon slowly fell behind the solar calendar.

Primary Inscriptions:

"Work of Shaykh Sakkut". Written in red ink on the back of the throne.

Provenance:

Purchased

Collection Group:

Islamic World Collection

Material(s):

Wood
pastewood

Dimensions: