Arts of the Islamic World & India

of circular form with triangular throne, engraved with circular scales and curves, with 5 drill holes, the reverse engraved with interlinked circles and triangles, with stand

of circular form with triangular throne, engraved with circular scales and curves, with 5 drill holes, the reverse engraved with interlinked circles and triangles, with stand 20.7cm. height 18cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 628: A stone astrolabe, India, 19th century

a stone astrolabe, india, 19th century

the silver astrolabe comprising a rete with twenty five leaf-shaped pointers engraved with the positions of twenty five names of stars. The ecliptic is graduated to 1º in groups of six and has the zodiac signs named. There is one mudir. The kursi, which is high, lobed and scalloped, is made from one flat sheet with the mater. There is no raised limb and this astrolabe has no plates. The plate extending beyond the rete has an engraved degree scale which is divided into four quadrants reading to 1º. The reverse of the quadrant is engraved in the upper-left quadrant with a degree scale surrounding a sine-cosine graph, in the upper-left quadrant with a degree scale surrounding the arcs of the signs of the zodiac.  In the lower quadrant is a double shadow square of six and seven divisions. A graduated rule is mounted at the center, missing alidade.

a silver astrolabe, indian, late 18th century-early 19th century

Arts of the Islamic World and India, including Fine Rugs and Carpets

the mater cast in one piece with the openwork kursi engraved with arabesques, with shackle and loop, containing 5 detachable plates with bottom lug, openwork rete, with later alidade, pin and horse

the mater cast in one piece with the openwork kursi engraved with arabesques, with shackle and loop, containing 5 detachable plates with bottom lug, openwork rete, with later alidade, pin and horse 20.4cm. diam. 30.6cm. height including shackle

View 1 of Lot 79: A large Mughal brass astrolabe, attributable to Muhammad Muqim, India, Lahore, 17th century

a large mughal brass astrolabe, attributable to muhammad muqim, india, lahore, 17th century

Arts of the Islamic World, including Fine Carpets and Textiles

a sanskrit astrolabe with multiple plates, north india, late-18th /early-19th century

Arts of the Islamic World and India

cast brass, with cusped throne engraved with a cartouche with elegant naskh inscriptions, suspension shackle above, the reverse with compass, possibly later added, the rim of the mater gradated into 360 degrees divided by 1°, engraved in naskh, the rete with 31 named star pointers finely worked in the form of leaves and palmettes, with 6 plates each engraved on both sides and including a table of horizons, all with inscriptions in naskh and nasta'liq and stereographic projections: the azimuth every 10 degrees and altitude every 6 degrees, the reverse of the mater with shadow square, signed below, and further projections, the alidade with two-holed sighting vanes, the edge with further inscriptions in naskh, with brown cord rope

cast brass, with cusped throne engraved with a cartouche with elegant naskh inscriptions, suspension shackle above, the reverse with compass, possibly later added, the rim of the mater gradated into 360 degrees divided by 1°, engraved in naskh, the rete with 31 named star pointers finely worked in the form of leaves and palmettes, with 6 plates each engraved on both sides and including a table of horizons, all with inscriptions in naskh and nasta'liq and stereographic projections: the azimuth every 10 degrees and altitude every 6 degrees, the reverse of the mater with shadow square, signed below, and further projections, the alidade with two-holed sighting vanes, the edge with further inscriptions in naskh, with brown cord rope 14.6cm. high including shackle 9.1cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 62: A Safavid brass astrolabe, signed by Muhammad Mahdi al-Yazdi, Persia, circa 1660

a safavid brass astrolabe, signed by muhammad mahdi al-yazdi, persia, circa 1660

cast brass, the mater graduated into 360 degrees, engraved with inscriptions in Andalusian Kufic, with openwork arabesque Kursi and shackle above, with 4 plates each engraved on both sides with the localities Mecca, Medina, Sabtah (Ceuta), Almeria, Seville, Córdoba, Toledo, and Zaragoza, interior of the mater undecorated, the reverse with concentric scales and shadow square, rete, alidade, pin and horse lacking

cast brass, the mater graduated into 360 degrees, engraved with inscriptions in Andalusian Kufic, with openwork arabesque Kursi and shackle above, with 4 plates each engraved on both sides with the localities Mecca, Medina, Sabtah (Ceuta), Almeria, Seville, Córdoba, Toledo, and Zaragoza, interior of the mater undecorated, the reverse with concentric scales and shadow square, rete, alidade, pin and horse lacking 12.1cm. height including shackle 7.5cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 508: An Almohad brass astrolabe mater and plates, signed by Abu Bakr ibn Yusuf, Morocco, Marrakesh, dated 615 AH/1218-19 AD

an almohad brass astrolabe mater and plates, signed by abu bakr ibn yusuf, morocco, marrakesh, dated 615 ah/1218-19 ad

Arts of the Islamic World

a brass astrolabe, by diya al-din al-lahuri, india, dated 1069 hijra/a.d. 1658-1659

a brass astrolabe, by diya al-din al-lahuri, india, dated 1069 hijra/a.d.1658/59

Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs and Carpets

cast brass, hammered and engraved, inscribed in fine Maghribi script, rete with curved, hook-like pointers arising from circular bases (containing silver studs now missing) for about 25 stars and an arc for the Tropic of Capricorn, comprising four plates with the localities Meknes, Fes, Marrakesh, Siljilmasa, Mecca, Tunis and Draa (Dar'a), interior of mater undecorated, with ownership inscription dated 1167 AH/1753-54 AD, back of mater with shadow square, the back of throne with signature and date, replacement pin and horse, plain alidade with two sighting vanes, with suspension loop

cast brass, hammered and engraved, inscribed in fine Maghribi script, rete with curved, hook-like pointers arising from circular bases (containing silver studs now missing) for about 25 stars and an arc for the Tropic of Capricorn, comprising four plates with the localities Meknes, Fes, Marrakesh, Siljilmasa, Mecca, Tunis and Draa (Dar'a), interior of mater undecorated, with ownership inscription dated 1167 AH/1753-54 AD, back of mater with shadow square, the back of throne with signature and date, replacement pin and horse, plain alidade with two sighting vanes, with suspension loop 18.2cm. diam. 22cm. height with throne

View 1 of Lot 204: A large brass astrolabe, signed by Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Battuti, Morocco, dated 1141 AH/1728-29 AD

a large brass astrolabe, signed by muhammad ibn ahmad al-battuti, morocco, dated 1141 ah/1728-29 ad

Arts of the Islamic World & India including Fine Rugs & Carpets

A PLANOSPHERIC BRASS ASTROLABE, SIGNED BY MUHAMMAD MUQIM, LAHORE, 17TH CENTURY

A PLANOSPHERIC BRASS ASTROLABE, SIGNED BY MUHAMMAD MUQIM, LAHORE, 17TH CENTURY cast brass, the mater with simple throne with two roundels, rete with the names of 37 stars and leaf-like pointers, ecliptic circle divided into 12 named zodiac signs, with six plates: some with composite projections for latitudes 0° + 72° + 90° and for 18° + 72°, the gazetteer engraved in two concentric circles citing 36 localities with names, including: Egypt ('Misr'), Madina, Mecca, Tabriz, Baghdad, Basra, Shiraz, Yazd, Isfahan, Kashan, Herat, Bukhara, Samarqand, Kabul and Lahore, as well as longitudes and latitudes. Alidade, pin and horse hold ensemble together, inscribed: "[Made by] the weakest of the servants [of God], Muhammed Muqim ibn (son of) Mulla 'Isa ibn (son of) Sheikh Allahdad of Lahore, astrolabe maker to [the Emperor] Humayun" 11 by 9cm. 13cm. max. height Please note: Condition 9 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers for this sale is not applicable to this lot.

a planospheric brass astrolabe, signed by muhammad muqim, lahore, 17th century

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT ROYAL MUGHAL PLANISPHERIC ASTROLABE, SIGNED BY DIYA AL-DIN IBN MUHAMMAD QA’IM, INDIA, LAHORE, DATED 1068 AH/1657 AD

A HIGHLY IMPORTANT ROYAL MUGHAL PLANISPHERIC ASTROLABE, SIGNED BY DIYA AL-DIN IBN MUHAMMAD QA’IM, INDIA, LAHORE, DATED 1068 AH/1657 AD mater and throne created from a single piece of brass, the throne pierced with foliate arabesques, mater engraved on inner surface, listing longitudes and latitudes of 150 named cities, dorsum with signature of maker and date, rete with star-pointers in forms of a leaf or flower, containing five plates engraved on both sides, original alidade, pin, horse and washer 21.5cm. with throne; 17.2cm. diam.

a highly important royal mughal planispheric astrolabe, signed by diya al-din ibn muhammad qa’im, india, lahore, dated 1068 ah/1657 ad

cast brass, the throne elaborately engraved with three seated dervishes, fitted with a shackle and loop, containing four plates and a finely worked rete engraved with birds and a double-faced figure, the interior of the mater engraved with localities including Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, with alidade, pin and horse

cast brass, the throne elaborately engraved with three seated dervishes, fitted with a shackle and loop, containing four plates and a finely worked rete engraved with birds and a double-faced figure, the interior of the mater engraved with localities including Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem, with alidade, pin and horse 9.8cm. diam. 11.5cm. height excluding shackle

View 1 of Lot 104: A fine Safavid brass astrolabe, signed by 'Abd al-A'immah, Persia, dated 1131 AH/1718-19 AD

a fine safavid brass astrolabe, signed by 'abd al-a'immah, persia, dated 1131 ah/1718-19 ad

cast brass, mater cast in one piece with throne, engraved front and back with central leaf flanked by trefoil flowers, inside of mater engraved with detailed gazetteer with the latitudes, longitudes and declinations of over thirty localities in Persia, also cited in outer ring: Mecca, Medina and Baghdad, the reverse engraved with solar quadrant to the right and trigonometric grid to the left, double shadow square with astronomical information and maker’s name, rete with pointers for twenty-six named stars, hook to top, with four latitude plates which correspond to: 38° - 37°, 37° - 36°, 34° - 32°, and 30° - 29°

cast brass, mater cast in one piece with throne, engraved front and back with central leaf flanked by trefoil flowers, inside of mater engraved with detailed gazetteer with the latitudes, longitudes and declinations of over thirty localities in Persia, also cited in outer ring: Mecca, Medina and Baghdad, the reverse engraved with solar quadrant to the right and trigonometric grid to the left, double shadow square with astronomical information and maker’s name, rete with pointers for twenty-six named stars, hook to top, with four latitude plates which correspond to: 38° - 37°, 37° - 36°, 34° - 32°, and 30° - 29° 12.5cm. height; 9.1cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 106: A planospheric brass astrolabe, signed by Hajji 'Ali, Persia, late 18th century

a planospheric brass astrolabe, signed by hajji 'ali, persia, late 18th century

An important Abbasid brass astrolabe, Iraq, Baghdad, circa 900 AD

An important Abbasid brass astrolabe, Iraq, Baghdad, circa 900 AD brass, engraved in Kufic, rete with dagger-shaped star pointers for 17 stars, comprising two plates with the latitudes 32° (Jerusalem), 33° (Baghdad), 34° (Samarra) and 36° (Mosul, Aleppo and al-Rayy), interior of the mater undecorated, the reverse with altitude scales, with original pin, alidade and horse, with later leather pouch 0 10.9cm. height 9.8cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 96: An important Abbasid brass astrolabe, Iraq, Baghdad, circa 900 AD

an important abbasid brass astrolabe, iraq, baghdad, circa 900 ad

composed of a mater ('umm) cast in one piece with the high, symmetrically fretted kursi, the tracery of which is engraved with stylised leaf decoration, carrying a shackle and loop, containing five detachable plates and fitted with a bottom lug for locking the plates in place, openwork rete held in place with alidade and stylised 'horse'

composed of a mater ('umm) cast in one piece with the high, symmetrically fretted kursi, the tracery of which is engraved with stylised leaf decoration, carrying a shackle and loop, containing five detachable plates and fitted with a bottom lug for locking the plates in place, openwork rete held in place with alidade and stylised 'horse' 19cm. diam. 28.5cm. height

View 1 of Lot 189: A large royal Mughal planispheric brass astrolabe, signed by Diya' al-Din Muhammad al-Lahuri, India, dated 1059 AH/1649 AD

a large royal mughal planispheric brass astrolabe, signed by diya' al-din muhammad al-lahuri, india, dated 1059 ah/1649 ad

cast brass, the mater with simple throne and hook, with original rete, hammered and engraved in elegant naskh, containing five plates engraved on both sides

cast brass, the mater with simple throne and hook, with original rete, hammered and engraved in elegant naskh, containing five plates engraved on both sides 11.5cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 80: A fine Safavid brass astrolabe, signed by Muhammed Husayn al-Yazdi ibn Muhammad Baqir, decorated by Ibn Muhamad Amir, Muhammed Mahdi al-Yazdi, Persia, dated 1057 AH/1647-48 AD

a fine safavid brass astrolabe, signed by muhammed husayn al-yazdi ibn muhammad baqir, decorated by ibn muhamad amir, muhammed mahdi al-yazdi, persia, dated 1057 ah/1647-48 ad

cast brass, gilt on exterior surfaces, comprising 1 plate, ornamental rete with 'quatrefoil' decoration, engraved in Kufic script with abjad numbers

cast brass, gilt on exterior surfaces, comprising 1 plate, ornamental rete with 'quatrefoil' decoration, engraved in Kufic script with abjad numbers 12.1cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 66: A gilt-brass astrolabe signed by Ahmad ibn Abu 'Abdallah al-Qurtubi al-Yamani, North-East Spain, Tudela, dated 737 AH/1336-37 AD

a gilt-brass astrolabe signed by ahmad ibn abu 'abdallah al-qurtubi al-yamani, north-east spain, tudela, dated 737 ah/1336-37 ad

cast brass, hammered and engraved, rete with curved hook-like pointers with silver studs, comprising three plates with the localities for Mecca, Medina, Fes, Marrakesh, Egypt, and all latitudes, a replacement plate for Ouazzane, the interior of the mater with inscriptions in Andalusian Kufic with latitudes, longitudes and climates for 32 localities, reverse with shadow square, with shackle and loop, alidade, pin and a replacement horse

cast brass, hammered and engraved, rete with curved hook-like pointers with silver studs, comprising three plates with the localities for Mecca, Medina, Fes, Marrakesh, Egypt, and all latitudes, a replacement plate for Ouazzane, the interior of the mater with inscriptions in Andalusian Kufic with latitudes, longitudes and climates for 32 localities, reverse with shadow square, with shackle and loop, alidade, pin and a replacement horse 16.9cm. height including shackle

View 1 of Lot 99: A brass astrolabe, attributable to the workshop of al-Hasan ibn Ahmad al-Battuti, Morocco, late 17th/early 18th century

a brass astrolabe, attributable to the workshop of al-hasan ibn ahmad al-battuti, morocco, late 17th/early 18th century

View 1 of Lot 81: A large royal Mughal planispheric brass astrolabe, signed by Diya' al-Din Muhammad al-Lahuri, India, dated 1069 AH/1658-59 AD

a large royal mughal planispheric brass astrolabe, signed by diya' al-din muhammad al-lahuri, india, dated 1069 ah/1658-59 ad

cast brass, with gilded mater and original rete, the gilding possibly added later, hammered and engraved with elaborately designed cusped throne designed with compass (now missing) and hook, the rim of the mater gradated into 360 degrees divided by 1°, engraved in elegant naskh, containing five plates engraved on both sides, four with specific latitudes and stereographic projections: the azimuth every ten degrees and altitude every three degrees, one plate with a stereographic projection on one side and the hours of prayer on the other, the finely designed foliate rete with twenty-four star pointers, the reverse typical of Safavid productions, with a trigonometric quadrant with horizontal parallels for each 1° in the upper left, in the upper right is a solar quadrant with curves displaying graphically the altitudes of the sun at midday for a series of latitudes and the altitudes of the sun when it is in azimuth of the qibla at a series of cities, including Isfahan, below a double shadow square and cartouche with Muhammad Mahdi al-Yazdi's signature, Muhammad Husayn ibn Muhammad Baqir al-Yazdi's signature at the upper right hand curve of the mater's reverse, alidade missing sighting edges and missing pin, hook at top with suspension cord

cast brass, with gilded mater and original rete, the gilding possibly added later, hammered and engraved with elaborately designed cusped throne designed with compass (now missing) and hook, the rim of the mater gradated into 360 degrees divided by 1°, engraved in elegant naskh, containing five plates engraved on both sides, four with specific latitudes and stereographic projections: the azimuth every ten degrees and altitude every three degrees, one plate with a stereographic projection on one side and the hours of prayer on the other, the finely designed foliate rete with twenty-four star pointers, the reverse typical of Safavid productions, with a trigonometric quadrant with horizontal parallels for each 1° in the upper left, in the upper right is a solar quadrant with curves displaying graphically the altitudes of the sun at midday for a series of latitudes and the altitudes of the sun when it is in azimuth of the qibla at a series of cities, including Isfahan, below a double shadow square and cartouche with Muhammad Mahdi al-Yazdi's signature, Muhammad Husayn ibn Muhammad Baqir al-Yazdi's signature at the upper right hand curve of the mater's reverse, alidade missing sighting edges and missing pin, hook at top with suspension cord 14cm. height; 9.4cm. diam.

View 1 of Lot 67: A fine Safavid gilt-brass astrolabe made for Imam Mirza Razi al-Din Muhammad Husayni al-Mawsawi (d.1701), signed by Muhammad Husayn ibn Muhammad Baqir al-Yazdi, decorated by Muhammad Mahdi al-Yazdi, Persia, circa 1660

a fine safavid gilt-brass astrolabe made for imam mirza razi al-din muhammad husayni al-mawsawi (d.1701), signed by muhammad husayn ibn muhammad baqir al-yazdi, decorated by muhammad mahdi al-yazdi, persia, circa 1660

a silver astrolabe with sanskrit inscriptions and a single plate calibrated for the latitude 26 degrees north, jaipur, india, 19th century

composed of a mater ('umm) cast in one piece with the high, symmetrically fretted kursî, the tracery of which is engraved with stylised leaf decoration, carrying a shackle and ring, limb engraved with a scale of degrees in four quadrants numbered by groups of six, the interior of the mater carrying geographical scales and fitted with a bottom lug for locking the four plates in place.  Three of the plates serve latitudes 32, 34 and 36 degrees above and below.  In addition there are markings for the horizons and for latitute 66.5 degrees, the latter serving the conversion of equatorial and ecliptic coordinates.  The mater is engraved with a gazetteer displaying longitudes and latitudes for 54 localities in Greater Iran and India.  The upper back bears a sexagesimal (base 60) trigometric grid and a solar altitude scale with graphical markings for latitudes 27 and 32 degrees.  In the lower two quadrants is a double shadow square of seven (right) and twelve (left) numbered divisions which correlate with the similarly numbered cotangent scales on the edge of the instrument. Within the shadow square is a numbered table of the twenty eight mansions of the Moon.The alidade is apropriately marked for use with the sexagesimal markings and for use as a universal sundial. 

an indo persian brass astrolabe, lahore school, signed by diya' al-din muhammad ibn qa'im muhammad asturlabi humayuni al-lahuri, dated a.h.1064/a.d.1653

Islamic Works of Art

11cm. diam; 17.5cm total height; 0.6cm thickness

11cm. diam; 17.5cm total height; 0.6cm thicknessThis an unusual kind of astrolabe, bearing a rete or star-map with a limited number of stars, a feature attested on two other known astrolabes, both of Maghribi provenance. Otherwise the instrument is typical of the astrolabes made in the Maghrib in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.The Maghrib was the scene of serious activity in mathematical astronomy and astrology from the tenth to the fifteenth century, and an interest in traditional astronomy continued there until the early twentieth century. In particular, the construction of instruments – astrolabes, quadrants and sundials – continued into the late nineteenth century.This unsigned Maghribi astrolabe, previously unrecorded, is, on the one hand, typical of the standard astrolabes that were made in the Maghrib during the period up to the nineteenth century. On the other hand, the rete or star-map is simplified to display a bare minimum of stars, a feature attested only on two other known Maghribi astrolabes, both with the mater engraved as a single plate, for which we use the appellation "astrolabic plate". We shall return to these other instruments below.The astronomical engraving is accurate and the calligraphy in Maghribi kûfî is competent.The numbers on the scales and plates are marked in alphanumerical (abjad) notation according to the Maghribi convention. The throne is raised and without decoration. The shackle and the suspensory apparatus are original.The date of construction is written in a bold European-style hand on the front of the throne, but in fact it is in acceptable Maghribi forms of the Hindu-Arabic numerals. It follows the Arabic word 'âm, "year". This date may not have been engraved by the maker of the astrolabe, but, if it was not, it is conceivable that it was engraved by a Maghribi colleague. Had the date been engraved by a European (that is, probably a Frenchman), the numbers '1' and '7' would not have been engraved as they are. It is tempting to imagine a visiting Englishman engraving these numerals – the forms are rather English! Certainly, if the date resulted from an attempt to deceive, then a much earlier date would surely have been chosen. In any case, our astrolabist engraved the word "year" in anticipation that someone would then engrave the year-number. The Hijra date 1207 corresponds to 1792/93, and a date of c.1800 would have been suggested for the astrolabe even if it had not been dated.The outer rim of the mater bears a 360° scale divided into 5°-intervals, subdivided into single degrees. The 5°-arguments are labelled thrice up to 100°, then up to 60°. The surface of the mater is carefully engraved with an extravagant foliate design.The rete is typically Maghribi in style, with counter-changes along the horizontal bar and star-pointers of different, but all standard, design. The horizontal bar is curved between the ecliptic and the central ring. The ecliptic scale is labelled with the names of the zodiacal signs and is divided into 6°-intervals. The following nine stars are represented in each quadrant Q of the ecliptic beginning with the vernal equinox (on the left) and reckoning counter-clockwise. Each pointer bears standard star-names, mainly in abbreviated form:Q1:           dabarân (Aldebaran = a Tauri)Q2:           'abûr (Sirius = a Canis maioris);                 ghumaysâ' (Gomeisa = a Canis minoris)Q3:           râmih (Arcturus = a Boötis)                                  qalb al-'aqrab (Antares = a Scorpionis)                 hawwâ' (Rasalhague = a Ophiuchi)Q4:           wâqi' (Vega = a Lyrae)                 tâ'ir (Altair = a Aquilae)                 dhanab qaytûs (Deneb Kaitos = i Ceti)Usually Maghribi astrolabes serve 20-30 stars, but most of the star-pointers are superfluous for practical purposes, since a bare minimum – one or two per quadrant – will suffice. The choice of these particular astrolabe stars may not be optimal; ideally they should be spaced at more regular intervals, and here the first and second quadrants are not optimally served. However, as we shall see below, one tiny medieval European astrolabe, closely modelled on an Islamic prototype, has only four star-pointers on its rete, serving the bright stars Aldebaran, Regulus, Rasalhague and Altair.There was originally a knob at each end of each major axis of the rete. Possibly these were of silver, as was not uncommon on Maghribi astrolabes. In addition, there are small insets on each of the star-pointers. Again, silver buttons may once have been found in these. The mater is engraved only with horizontal and vertical diameters.There are two original plates with astrolabic markings for the following latitudes and no associated localities are stated (here provided in square brackets):1a    21°40' [Mecca]1b   25° [Medina]2a    34° [Meknes]2b   34°10' [??]Each side is engraved with altitude circles for each 6°, except for 2a, which is engraved for each 5°, in addition to the standard curves for the seasonal hours below the horizon. All sides are engraved with azimuth circles for each 15°. The meridian and prime vertical are accentuated with fishbone markings. There are no special markings for the prayer-times, such as are standard on Maghribi astrolabes. Both plates have a protrusion at the top for fixing in the mater. The first three latitudes are standard medieval values, and it was usual to have a plate serving the holy cities of Islam. Meknes was, or rather, had been a siginificant centre of astronomy. The fourth latitude, 34°10', cannot be associated with any locality in the Maghrib, either from medieval geographical lists in manuscripts (Kennedy, Geographical Coordinates, p. 684) or from any known medieval astrolabes.The third plate is not original – the engraving is in a different Maghribi hand – and it is slightly more elegantly engraved than the two original ones. The protruding peg at the top is damaged; it is folded over, perhaps to make the plate fit in the mater. The latitudes and associated localities are marked as follows:3a    30°, Cairo3b   38°, AlgiersOn each side there are altitude circles for each 6° and azimuth circles for each 10°, as well as curves for the seasonal hours below the horizon. There are fishbone markings for the meridian, labelled zawâl, and dotted markings for the altitudes 18° and 60° above the horizon, the former for finding the duration of twilight, and for the azimuth 60° from the meridian. There are no curves for the prayers. On the one hand, the plate presents a more sophisticated aspect than the other two. On the other hand, however, the latitude of Algiers is much too high, the accurate value being around 35°30'. Very few Maghribi astrolabes have markings for Algiers (see King, "Spanish Astrolabe", p. 38). The three plates fit within the mater, and there may be room for yet another. We can assume that at least one. if not two, of the original plates are missing. This, or these, would have served latitudes for Maghribi cities.The back bears the usual scales found on late Maghribi astrolabes, and on most early ones too. On the upper outer rim, there are two altitude scales marked for each 5° and subdivided for each 1°. Within these, there is a solar scale with each 30° marked with the names of the zodiac and subdivided for each 5° and 1°. Then within this there is a calendar scale with the months labelled in the Western Islamic (= European) convention, as follows (showing only consonants and long vowels):ynâyr – fbrâ'r – mârs – 'brîl – mâyh – yûnyhyûlyh – gh-sh-t – sh-tnbr – 'ktbr – nûnbr – djnbr.The divisions are marked for the number of days in each month. subdivided for each 5 days and 1 day. The equinox corresponds to March 8, by which one could date the piece roughly to c.1700 (this dating is not precise), but this should not be taken too seriously. (In late Islamic instrumentation, blind tradition prevailed with regard to calendar scales on instruments.) Below the horizontal diameter, there is a double shadow-square, with each scale marked in digits (base 12), labelled for each 2 digits and subdivided for each 1 digit. The horizontal scale is labelled al-zill al-mabsût and the vertical ones al-zill al-mankûs, indicating that they display the cotangents and tangents, respectively, of the solar altitude.The alidade is unmarked and, along with the pin and wedge, is original. The wedge is fashioned as the front of a horse, as was standard.As mentioned above, there are two Islamic astrolabic plates with simplified retes like the one under discussion here. There is considerable confusion about the first of these two pieces, which has been awarded erroneously four different numbers in the International Astrolabe Checklist; part of this confusion was caused by the instrument changing locations. The two instruments are: (1) #0152 = #4191 = #5027 = #4303: astrolabic plate for latitude 34° (Meknes) with simplified rete showing 16 stars, instrument in the tradition of al-Khamâ'irî (Seville, c.1200), datable c.1600 — first in the India Office, London, now in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London. See Morley, "Astrolabe", pp. 34-36, and fig. 24 on pl. XX; Gunther, Astrolabes, pp. 299-300 (no. 152); King, "Astronomy in the Maghrib", p. 204; and idem, Synchrony, pp. 36-37 and fig. 4.1.5 on p. 37, and p. 1011, under 1.6.15s*.(2) #4137: astrolabic plate for latitude 34° (Meknes) with simplified rete displaying 7 stars, datable ca. 1700 – formerly in a European private collection; now in the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha, Qatar; unpublished.Only one medieval European astrolabe has a simplified rete, albeit of a much more sophisticated type:(3) #0169: a universal Italian astrolabic plate from about c.1300 with only 4 stars on the rete, inspired by an Islamic prototype – Oxford, Museum of the History of Science, inv. no. 40829. First mentioned in Gunther, Astrolabes, II, 319-320 (no. 169); published in detail in King, Synchrony, II, pp. 545-574. This inistrument is a mere 5.9 cm in diameter.We are grateful to Professor David King for his assistance in preparing the catalogue entry for this lot.Bibliographical notes:For a survey of Maghribi astronomy and a list of Maghribi astronomical instruments see King, "Astronomy in the Maghrib". For an ordered list of late Maghribî astrolabes see King, In Synchrony with the Heavens, vol. II, pp. 1010-12 and 1014-15. On Islamic instrumentation see King, Synchrony, vol. II, passim, and on astrolabes as historical sources see ibid., pp. 33-68 and 339-402.Bibliography:Alain Brieux and Francis Maddison, Répertoire des facteurs d'astrolabes et de leurs oeuvres, Paris: CNRS, in press. [Signed instruments only.]Robert T. Gunther, Astrolabes of the World, 2 vols., Oxford, 1932, repr. in 1 vol., London: The Holland Press, 1976.Georges Ifrah, From One to Zero: A Universal History of Numbers, New York, etc.: Penguin Books, 1985 (translated from the 1981 French edition).E. S. Kennedy and M.-H. Kennedy, Geographical Coordinates of Localities from Islamic Sources, Frankfurt: Institute for the History of Arabic-Islamic Sciences, 1987.David A. King, "An Astrolabe from 14th-century Christian Spain with Inscriptions in Latin, Hebrew and Arabic", Suhayl — Journal for the History of the Exact and Natural Sciences in Islamic Civilisation (Barcelona),  3 (2002/03), pp. 9-156, also reprinted in In Synchrony with the Heavens, XV. [This article is available on the Internet: search under Suhayl.]David A. King, "On the History of Astronomy in the Medieval Maghrib", in Études d'histoire des sciences arabes, Mohammed Abattouy, ed., Casablanca: 2007, pp. 175-218, to be reprinted in idem, Islamic Astronomy and Geography, Aldershot: Variorum, 2012.David A. King, In Synchrony with the Heavens – Studies in Astronomical Timekeeping and Instrumentation in Medieval Islamic Civilization, 2 vols., Leiden: Brill, 2004-05.L. A. Mayer, Islamic Astrolabists and their Works, Geneva: Albert Kundig, 1956.William H. Morley, Description of a Planispheric Astrolabe Constructed for Sháh Sultán Husain Safawí ... , London: Williams and Norgate, 1856, repr. as the introduction to Gunther, Astrolabes, I.

a maghribi astrolabe with simplified rete, dated 1207 ah/1792-3 ad

composed of a mater ('umm) cast in one piece with the high, symmetrically fretted kursî, the tracery of which is engraved with stylised leaf decoration, carrying a shackle and loop, containing five detacheable plates and fitted with a bottom lug for locking the plates in place, openwork rete held in place with alidade and stylised 'horse'

a large brass astrolabe, signed by diya' al-dîn muhammad al-lahurî, india, dated 1069 ah/1658-59 ad

a miniature brass astrolabe mater, by diya al-din al-lahuri, india, dated 1074 hijra/a.d.1663/64

A rare 'Lahore' miniature Astrolabe by Muhammad Muqim ibn 'Isa

A rare 'Lahore' miniature Astrolabe by Muhammad Muqim ibn 'Isa Brass Pakistan 17th century diameter 1 3/4 in. (4.4cm.) The throne with suspension shackle and ring, worked a jour is incorporate Allahu Akbar, ("God is Great"), the mater with fine and accurately engraved markings on the inner face, the back typical of the Lahore tradition of astrolabe marking with a standard solar quadrant for latitudes 27' and 32', and with inscription identifying this profile maker. This is one of the smallest recorded astrolabes, and a remarkable testimony to the skill and craftsmanship of Muhammad Maqim of Lahore. It is a classic example of his work and the engraving displays great accuracy. Provenance: Saul Moskowitz Collection

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