16th Century Rare Persian Astrolabe
Posted by Jess Dayuno on October 22nd, 2008
Interested in the Sun, Moon and the Stars? If you are, you are probably familiar with astrolabe. Recently, in Sotheby’s, a small and rare 16th Persian astrolabe was auctioned. Sotheby’s estimated its value around $40,000-$50,000. However, they were quite surprised when it was purchased for $206,500 last October 17.
You can compare it with a mobilephone or a PDA because it has several functions but a very early version of what we have now. Astrolabe is an astronomical gadget during the medieval times in the old Islamic world. It was used primarily for surveying, navigating and to predict certain position of the planets and the stars. It can also help in determining local time with the help of the measurement of latitudes.
Take a look on the images I have included here and be amazed on the kind of craftsmanship each part of just one astrolabe has. Each item is an integral part of the whole thing and each hold an intricate design not only for aesthetic purposes but for its function as well.
This particular Persian astrolabe has a diameter of 93mm and was signed by Muhsin ibn Muhammad, with words that say “may their sins be pardoned”. It is engraved with 38 towns which show measurements of latitude, longitude, scales, quadrants and etc.
Photo Credit: Sotheby’s