Epact Scientific Instruments of Medieval and Renaissance Europe

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Astrolabe
Unsigned
14th century ?; Spanish
Brass; 114 mm in diameter

This unsigned and undated instrument has very similar features to Islamic astrolabes but is engraved with Gothic numerals and letters. This suggests that it would have been made in Spain at a relatively early date, probably in the 14th century.

The star pointers are unnamed and the shadow square is a later addition, so it was probably left unfinished.

British Museum, London
Registration no. MLA 1961,12-1.1

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