Publication Date
411 AH / 1020 AD
Publication Place
-
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Subject
Carved and engraved brass
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القياس : (الطول )19 سم (مع المفاصل) ،(العرض) 12.2 سم ،(السماكة) 1.2 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
2017.4.13
Record ID
object;EPM;my;Mus21;47;ar
Library Location
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Date
411 AH / 1020 AD
Notes
This rare astrolabe is considered one of the oldest known astrolabes from Islamic Spain. It was made by the famous Andalusian astrolabe maker Muhammad Ibn Safar in Cordoba and dates back to the year 411 AH / 1020 AD, as mentioned in the signature in the square space at the back. The date is followed by the system of Arabic letters and numbers known as the alphabet, and the Sunnah is indicated by a formation of the letters Ta-Ya-Alif, which correspond to Taa (400), Yaa (10) and Alif (1), which total 411. The astrolabe contains six plates/plates that correspond to two directions for each plate, including the direction of Mecca, Damascus, Cairo and Cordoba. The grid, on the other hand, is a new addition from the 17th century made in Ottoman Türkiye. The maker of this astrolabe: Muhammad Ibn Safar (died in 1029) made many astrolabes and other scientific instruments, of which at least three are known to have survived and are today scattered in various museums.
Sample Text
"Astrolabe" within Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;my;Mus21;47;ar
