Publication Date
Approximately the thirteenth century AH / beginning of the nineteenth century AD
Publication Place
-
Museum of Arts and Crafts (MKG)
Subject
Bronze, digging
Type
Other
Language
Undetermined
Digital
Yes
Manuscript
No
Physical Dimensions
القطر : 23.5 سم
Library
Museum With No Frontiers
Library Asset ID
1893.245
Record ID
object;EPM;de;Mus21;8;ar
Library Location
Museum of Arts and Crafts (MKG)
Date
Approximately the thirteenth century AH / beginning of the nineteenth century AD
Notes
This bronze astrolabe was made at the beginning of the nineteenth century during the Qajar era in Iran. For centuries, astrolabes have been used as general devices by astronomers, surveyors, and astrologers. They are devices that calculate time and are used as a calendar. But they were mostly acquired by wealthy people to display as decorative pieces. The astrolabe consists of three elements: the mother, the grid, and the jamb. The mother is a bronze disc that acts as a base and brings the different parts of the device together. The front surface of the disk is concave and has a decorated border. This particular astrolabe has a map on the mother. The grid is placed on the surface of the mother and acts as a chart of the stars and indicates the positions of the stars. In this case, it is decorated with a ring of the constellations, engraved flowers, and the names of the stars. The pillar can be adjusted to measure the height of the sun or star in the sky. The astrolabe is divided into four regions by concentric decorated circles and rectangles that fill the space between the circles, each of which is filled with numbers and letters. On the other hand the scale and height of the indicated star or point can be determined. To hang or hold the astrolabe, attach a moving ring to it. The front of the base is decorated with an inscription panel, and the back end has floral wreaths engraved as decoration. The inscription is a dedication to Fath Ali Shah.
Sample Text
"Astrolabe" within Discover Islamic Art Collections. Museum Without Borders, 2026. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;EPM;de;Mus21;8;ar
