Astrolabe

This astrolabe is a modern fake that has spuriously been signed 'Hajji Mahdi Yazdi' on the back. The name is a fusion of the well-known Muhammad Mahdi Yazdi and Hajji 'Ali.

The throne is high and elegantly pierced in a style reminiscent of Lahore astrolabes (see AST0579). Otherwise, the elements of this astrolabe are borrowed from the Safavid tradition. The mater contains a poorly engraved gazetteer for 43 localities, which is barely legible, and the rete, with 21 star pointers, is also very poorly executed. There are five plates engraved on thick sheets of metal, none of which show astronomically correct markings.

Object Details

ID: AST0551
Collection: Astronomical and navigational instruments
Type: Astrolabe
Display location: Display - ROG
Creator: al-Yazdi, Muhammad Mahdi; Unknown
Date made: circa 1930
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Caird Collection
Measurements: Overall: 22 x 150 x 87 mm; Diameter: 87 mm
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