Astrolabe thumbnail 1
Astrolabe thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Metalware, Room 116, The Belinda Gentle Gallery

Astrolabe

1300-1400 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The astrolabe represents the universe flattened. The names of 37 stars are engraved on the pierced plate on the front. The astrolabe calculated the time, the times of sunrise and sunset, the rising and setting times for stars, and the configuration of the heavens for a time in the future or past. It was a particularly useful tool in astronomy and astrology.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brass, cast sheet, engraved
Brief description
Astrolabe of cast sheet brass, with additional cast elements, engraved, France; 1300-1400
Physical description
Astrolabe of cast sheet brass, with additional cast elements, engraved
Credit line
Williams Hearn Gift
Object history
The astrolabe represents the universe flattened. The names of 37 stars are engraved on the pierced plate on the front. The astrolabe calculated the time, the times of sunrise and sunset, the rising and setting times for stars, and the configuration of the heavens for a time in the future or past. It was a particularly useful tool in astronomy and astrology.
Summary
The astrolabe represents the universe flattened. The names of 37 stars are engraved on the pierced plate on the front. The astrolabe calculated the time, the times of sunrise and sunset, the rising and setting times for stars, and the configuration of the heavens for a time in the future or past. It was a particularly useful tool in astronomy and astrology.
Collection
Accession number
M.128-1923

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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