Islamic Patinated & Engraved Brass Astrolabe Instrument

Lot description

Islamic patinated brass astrolabe, having an engraved floral medallion and ring handle, above delineated mater, framing openwork rete stacked atop rotating celestial sphere, four quadrants with navigational scales and calligraphic script at verso, pointer possibly lacking ornament, approx 6.25"l, 4"w, 1.25lbs Note: Mariam al-Asturlabi was a 10th-century Syrian astronomer and artisan who specialized in crafting complex astrolabes. Working in Aleppo, she designed precise, intricate brass instruments for navigation, timekeeping, and locating stars (internet source). Provenance: Dallas, Texas: When the madness of collecting collides with connoisseurship