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Astrolabe
This elegant and competently made maghhribi astrolabe is remarkable for its unexpected rete design. It is certainly not older than circa 1800.
The simple, yet attractive throne is decorated with a symmetrical vegetal pattern engraved on the front and back. The throne and rim are soldered onto the mater. A European hand has written the number '73' twice in the mater, which is otherwise blank. The form of the rete is highly atypical for a late-maghribi astrolabe. It might be that it was copied from a medieval Spanish (Islamic or Latin) model. There are four plates, two of these being replacements (one completely blank). The back of the astrolabe is of a standard maghribi design.
The simple, yet attractive throne is decorated with a symmetrical vegetal pattern engraved on the front and back. The throne and rim are soldered onto the mater. A European hand has written the number '73' twice in the mater, which is otherwise blank. The form of the rete is highly atypical for a late-maghribi astrolabe. It might be that it was copied from a medieval Spanish (Islamic or Latin) model. There are four plates, two of these being replacements (one completely blank). The back of the astrolabe is of a standard maghribi design.
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Object Details
| ID: | AST0540 |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Astronomical and navigational instruments |
| Type: | Astrolabe |
| Display location: | Not on display |
| Creator: | Unknown |
| Date made: | 19th century |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection |
| Measurements: | Overall: 20 x 125 x 80 mm; Diameter: 81 mm |