- Brief Description
- This is a late North African astrolabe. It presents the typical features of Maghribi astrolabes such as dagger points and an off-set equatorial line at the bottom of the rete. The bases of the star pointer probably once contained silver studs to facilitate the use of the object in dark conditions.
- Subject
- Astrolabes
- Item type
- Object
- Provenance
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir with his collection.
- Physical material
- Brass
- Object type
- Astrolabe
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 138mm
- Inventory No
- 41460
- Accession Number
- 1957-84/172
Description
Two disks of paper are interposed between the plates. The mater is blank.
Parts
It comprises: a mater, a rete, 3 plates, an alidade, a horse and pin.
Throne
The throne is of the simple type and it is attached with a integrated base.
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).
Shackle
Shackle of the eye-bolt type.
Mater
The mater and limb are of two pieces, soldered and riveted construction. 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 contains Meridian line and
Horizon rectus.
Back
On the back are engraved the usual scales of degrees, a shadow-square, an unequal hour diagram and a zodiac/calendar scale (0° Aries = 7 March; concentric type).
Rete
The rete is of the maghribi (four knobs) type. On the rete there are 4 silvery knobs for turning. It features 24 stars.
Zodiac label
The zodiac on the rete is labelled: الحمل , الثور , الجوزا , السرطان , الاسد , السنبله , الميزان , العقرب , القوس , الجدي , الدلو , الحوت.
Pin and horse
The rete is attached using a pin and horse.
Alidade
Double-ended.
Plates
There are 3 (probably originally 4 plates: 'For the latitude of Mecca 21°40'', '... Medina 25°'; '... Sijilmâsa 30°', '... Marrakesh 31°30''; '... Fez 33°20'', '... Fezzan 34°30''.
