Astrolabe, by Muhammad ibn Sa`id as-Sabban, Guadalajara, 1081/2

Object is on display.

Inventory Number:

52473

Object Type:

Object

Persons:

Muhammad ibn Sa`id as-Sabban

Date Created:

Dated 474 A.H. (1081/2 CE)

Place Created:

Guadalajara Spain Europe

Subject Classification(s):

Astrolabes

Accession Number:

1957-84/157

Brief Description:

This splendid Spanish astrolabe is the one coming from furthest north into Europe of the entire Museum's collection. It is also one of the oldest astrolabe made in Europe in the Museum's collection. Its plates encompass the whole of the Islamic world, from Toledo to Samarkand. It is finely engraved with tables covering almost the entirety of its surface.

Primary Inscriptions:

مما أحكم صنعته محمد بن سعيد الصبان في مدينة الفرج حرسها الله في سنة تعد الهجرية "Among the objects skilfully made by Muhammad ibn Sa`id as-Sabban in Madinat al-Faraj, God protect her, in the year 474 of the Hijra". Engraved on the back, within the upper two and the lower left quadrants, within the zodiac/calendar scale.

Provenance:

Presented by J. A. Billmeir. Formerly in the Nicolas Landau Collection, Paris

Collection Group:

Billmeir Collection

Material(s):

copper alloy

Dimensions: