Lot 43
43
A BRASS ASTROLABE
A BRASS ASTROLABE
A BRASS ASTROLABE
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A BRASS ASTROLABE
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A BRASS ASTROLABE

QAJAR IRAN, 19TH CENTURY

Details
A BRASS ASTROLABE
QAJAR IRAN, 19TH CENTURY
The mater engraved with concentric circles with inscriptions in naskh, the lobed throne decorated with an Arabic inscription in thuluth on a a scrolling floral ground, suspension shackle above, the rim graduated 0-360° by 1° with larger markings every 5°, with five plates all with inscriptions in naskh, the rete with named star points around a central bird, the reverse engraved with the signs of the zodiac, alidade engraved with floral scrolls, with pin mounted with a bird
18in. (45.7cm.) high including shackle
Engraved
al-qamar wa al-shams wa sahar... al-layl al-nahar, 'The moon and the sun, dawn... night and day'

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Lot Essay

Planispheric astrolabes were generally used for charting astrological bodies, finding the direction of the qibla, and determining the times of prayer. Our astrolabe is a large example of Qajar astrolabes which were mostly used as decorative symbols of knowledge within the interiors rather than operated instruments.

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