- Brief Description
- An undated and unsigned astrolabe which features an inscription reading that it was "given as a bequest to the Grand Mosque of the port of Tangiers". This shows that the astrolabe was likely meant to be used to calculate the hour of prayer.
- Subject
- Astrolabes
- Item type
- Object
- Provenance
- Presented by J. A. Billmeir. Formerly in the Henri Michel Collection, Brussels.
- Primary inscriptions
- الحمد لله هذا الأسطرلاب حبس على المسجد الأعظم من ثغر طنجة علاه الله بمنه آمين "Praise be to God. This astrolabe was given as a bequest to the Grand Mosque of the port of Tangiers, may God elevate it with His grace. Amen". Engraved on the back within the unequal-hour diagram.
- Physical material
- Brass
- Object type
- Astrolabe
- Dimensions
- Diameter: 183mm
- Inventory No
- 34314
- Accession Number
- 1957-84/1
Description
Parts
It comprises: a mater, a rete, 4 plates, an alidade, a horse and pin.
Throne
The throne is of the simple type and it is attached with a integrated base. A very low and broad throne.
Ring
The ring resembles a large fish hook.
Shackle
Shackle of the eye-bolt type (i.e. any shackle that attactes to the ring via an eye-bolt type feature). A relatively simple pin attached to a piece of bent band metal.
Mater
The mater and limb are of two pieces, soldered and riveted construction. This limb has been repaired, perhaps from a break or some other deficiency in the limb. The notch for holding the tympans in place 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 is blank.
Back
On the back there is a scale of degrees, a zodiac/calendar scale (0° Aries = 81/2 March; concentric type), a shadow-square and an unequal hour diagram. An inscription on the back records that the astrolabe belonged to the Great Mosque of Tangiers.
Rete
The rete is of the Maghrebi type with some hook star-pointers with loop bases and some flaming star-pointers. There are 4 knobs for rotation. It features 26 stars.
Zodiac label
The ecliptic circle is divided every 6 degrees. The zodiac 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. The horse is an elaborately carved piece, not uncommon on maghribi astrolabes.
Alidade
Double-ended alidade, plain. The darker colour of the metail, which matches that of the mater and rete suggests it is original.
Plates
There are 4 plates, for latitudes 21°, 35°; 21°30', 30°; 25°, 36°37'; 33° 40° and a tablet of horizons of Western type; two of the plates may be replacements.
