Astrolabe

Object Details

• Description

  Astrolabe. A northern instrument fitted with a ring and shackle for suspension, a rete or 'ankabut, three sexpartite tablets, an alidade equipped with sights, a pin and a bolt. Surface decoration chased and engraved; inscription in naskhi script include dedication, signature and date.

• Inscriptions

  The principal inscriptions are as follows:

  a. The "dedication." [Arbc]

  "According to command this was completed [for] al-Khaqan, the honored Sultan (?) of sublime power, Muhammad Khan Bagran. [Personage not identified]."

  b. The signature and date.

  In a cartouche on the back below the Shadow-square: [Arbc]

  "Wrought by 'Abd-al-A'immah 1127" (A.D. 1715).

  c. Engraver: In a small cartouche in the lower center of the border on the back:

  c. Engraver: In a small cartouche in the lower center of the border on the back:

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Wonders of Creation, Oddities of Existence: An Exhibition in Celebration of Halley's Comet (February 28, 1986 to October 27, 1986)

  Near Eastern Art (June 15, 1973 to May 7, 1975)

• Origin

  Iran

• Credit Line

  Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment

• Type

  Measuring Device

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1900s, 1850s

• Topic

  Art, Arts of the Islamic World, Forgery, Astronomy

• Culture

  Muslims, Iranians

• Object Type

  Measuring Device