Astrolabe, by 'Abd al-A'imma, Persian, Early 18th Century

Inventory Number:

40833

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

`Abd al-A'imma (Maker)

Date Created:

c. early 1700s CE

Place Created:

Iran/Persia Asia

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1957-84/169

Brief Description:

Unique in the collection is the astrological gazetteer engraved on to one of the plate of this astrolabe. Gazetteers are common features of Islamic astrolabes and usually contain a list of important cities with their longitude and latitude. This plate, however, contains two concentric lists of cities, engraved against a stippled background, and the zodiacal sign and planet (occasionally planets) that influence each city.

There is ample precedence for the system of geographic astrology represented by this astrological gazetteer. Indeed, Claudius Ptolemy, the greatest astronomer and astrologer from antiquity, had presented in his Tetrabiblos a detailed scheme for relating geographical locations to both planets and zodiacal signs. Embedded in Ptolemy's scheme was a rational method for dividing the world into regions by correlating the characteristics associated with a planet to those commonly applied to people from different cities and countries. This allowed later astrologers to extend and adapt Ptolemy's method to fit their own needs.

By the ninth century Arab astronomers, notably Abu Mashar, had appropriated and extended Ptolemy's system of geographic astrology. The astrological gazetteer on this astrolabe suggests that the owner of the instrument anticipated using it alongside tables of planetary ephemerides, for the astrolabe itself does not indicate the positions of the planets. Further, the gazetteer testifies to the longevity of Ptolemy’s practice of dividing the earth into regions according to the zodiacal signs and planets that influenced those regions.

Primary Inscriptions:

صنعه الحقير عبد الائمة "Made by the contemptible Abd al-Aimma". Engraved in a cartouche below the shadow-square. غرض نقشيست كه تا باز ماند كه هستي را نمى بينم بقائي "The aim of the engraving is that it should remain after me, for I see not the continuity of earthly existence". Engraved in Persian a double cartouch at the back on the bottom of the rim.

Provenance:

Presented by J. A. Billmeir. Formerly in the Chadenat collection. It was one time the property of Sayyid Bahadur Shah, of Lahore.

Collection Group:

Billmeir Collection

Material(s):

Brass

Dimensions: