$9,400
Brass Lahore Astrolabe by Muhammad Muqin, c. 1650, signed on the reverse of the mater in Arabic "Muhammad Muqin the son of Isa the son of Alhaddad Humayuri Lahori Made It," with further engraved solar quadrant, shadow square, lunar mansions and Zodiacal signs, the rete with twenty-nine star pointers, five plates for latitudes, 22o 13', 25o 13', 36o 14', 40o 14', 22o 13' 46" and 30o 14' 5", the interior of the mater with latitudes and longitudes of forty-two cities, the alidade with twin sights, each with twin pinholes, the pierced throne with knife-edge shakle, original pin and horse, dia. 3 1/2 in.Note: One of the plates is inscribed for latitude 72o and the other side also has a strange projection. The fifth plate seems to be for latitude 0 and the reverse a number of horizons. The mater, rete and one plate were polished in the past while the other four plates are darkened. It is not certain if all the plates are original to the instrument. Muhammad Muqin was one of the more prolific astrolabists in 17th century India and was descended from the Royal Astrolabist of Lahore.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2002-04-13
