- Brief Description
- This is an incomplete astrolabe. The mater is finely engraved in kufic script though the womb looks unfinshed. The rete is missing and the plates are very crudely executed when compared to the mater showing that they are replacements. This is an example of a phenomenon whereby pieces of an astrolabe go missing and others, from different objects, are added to it.
- Subject
- Astrolabes
- Item type
- Object
- Provenance
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir with his collection.
- Physical material
- Brass
- Object type
- Astrolabe
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 112mm
- Inventory No
- 40407
- Accession Number
- 1957-84/14
Description
Parts
It comprises: a mater, a rete, 2 plates. The rete and the horse are missing.
Throne
The throne is of the simple type and it is attached with a integrated base. The throne is made in two pieces: the back is an extension of the back plate while the front is integrated into the limb.
Ring
The ring is of the simple, round cross-section type (i.e. simple plain ring made from a round rod or piece of metal). This is a rather crude ring.
Shackle
Shackle of the eye-bolt type (i.e. any shackle that attactes to the ring via an eye-bolt type feature). A simple eye-bolt attaches to an angle bracket.
Mater
The mater and limb are of two pieces, riveted construction. The notch that accepts the tab is located at the throne. The rim is marked with a degree scale 0-360° divided every 5 degrees, subdivided every degree, and labelled in Abjad numerals every 5 degrees.
Womb
The womb has been engraved as if the maker intended to add a gazetteer. However, the gazetteer was never completed.
Back
On the back there are a zodiac/calendar scale (0° Aries = 81/2 March; concentric type), a shadow-square, a diagram of unequal hours and a scale of degrees.
Plates
There are 2 plates (possibly not original), for latitudes 21° (Mecca), 34° (Meknes and Fez'); 33° (Salé and Rabat), and 36° (Tangier); originally there were probably four plates.
