Astrolabe: dismounted obverse
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Astrolabe: dismounted obverse
This unsigned and undated astrolabe can be attributed to the Safavid instrument maker and scientist Qasim 'Ali Qayini due to its similarities with other astrolabes that have been signed by him: one of which is in the Museum of the History of Science, Oxford (IC no. 1219). Qasim 'Ali, who wrote a tract on optics, was apparently a student of the celebrated 'Abd al-A'imma and of Muhammad Husayn.
The throne is plain and triangular and devoid of any ornamentation, except for a vertical line which divides it into two halves on the front and back. A cylindrical notch is slotted in through the mater. The geographical data engraved in the mater is very similar to that on the gazetteer on the Oxford Astrolabe (IC no. 1219). The rete is characterised by its symmetrical, foliate tracery outside of the ecliptic and a calligraphic ornamentation within it, containing the 'basmala': 'In the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate'. The rete is damaged in various places and shows some quite messy traces of repair on the back.
Qasim 'Ali Qayini
- Image reference: E5539-1
- National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
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