Astrolabe, by Muhammad ibn Fattuh al-Khamairi, Seville, 1224/5

Object is on display.

Inventory Number:

50934

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Muhammad ibn Fattuh al-Khamairi (Maker (Signed by))

Date Created:

Dated A.H. 621 (1224/5 CE)

Place Created:

Seville Spain Europe

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1924-0/part

Brief Description:

This Andalusian astrolabe was made in Seville, modern-day Spain, in 1224 during the time of the Muslim Almohad Empire which ruled over Morocco and part of Spain. Seville was an important centre, of equal importance to the capital of the empire, Marrakesh. An interesting feature of this astrolabe is the presence of silver knobs at the bases of 21 stars as well as four silver knobs for turning which, when polished, would have made the object shine with silvery stars a useful features when the instrument is used in a poor light. The object is signed and dated to the year 621 of the hijra. Another object in the Museum's collection (HMS inv. 44141) was made by the same maker, in Seville, about three years before.

Primary Inscriptions:

بسم الله هذا ما صنع محمد بن فتوح الخمائري بمدينة ٳشبيلية في سنة خكا الهجرية "In the name of God. This is what Muḥammad ibn Fattūḥ al-Khamāʾirī made in the city of Seville in A.H. 621". Engraved on the back of the throne.

Provenance:

Presented by Lewis Evans. Formerly the property of Dr E.B. Knobel, F.R.A.S., who bought it at Edinburgh in 1876 in a second-hand shop.

Collection Group:

Lewis Evans Collection

Material(s):

Brass

Dimensions: