Lot 167: A PERSIAN OR INDO-PERSIAN BRASS PLANISPHERIC ASTROLABE, 18TH - 19TH CENTURY

This planispheric astrolabe is constructed of brass with a heavily patinated finish, following Persian or Indo-Persian design traditions. The obverse side features a pierced rete containing multiple flame-style star pointers. This rete is positioned over a removable tympanum plate engraved with a stereographic projection of the celestial sphere, including altitude and azimuth lines. The assembly is housed within a mater, the raised limb of which is engraved with graduated scales and Arabic script. A straight brass rule is secured at the center pin. The reverse of the instrument is covered in extensive engravings, including trigonometric scales in the upper quadrants and concentric tables for calendrical or astrological calculations in the center. The lower section features a shadow square for height measurements, flanked by Arabic inscriptions for horizontal and vertical shadows, specifically ظل مبسوط and ظل معكوس. The word الساعات (Al-Sa’at) is incised at the bottom center. The instrument is surmounted by a decorative kursi or throne featuring openwork scrolling foliage and a floral motif, ending in a suspension loop.

L: 24cm