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MOROCCO, LATE 18TH CENTURY The brass mater with rim graduated 0-360° by 1° with larger markings every 5° with an undecorated throne, suspension shackle above, with two plates elegantly engraved on both sides each bearing stereographic projections for latitudes 27°, 29°, 32°, 33°, all with inscriptions in elegant maghribi, the rete with 19 (two lacking) named star pointers, the reverse with a double shadow square and six concentric calendrical scales 12 in. (30.5 cm.) high overall; 8 ? in. (21.5 cm.) diameter
Rothschild collection.
Planispheric astrolabes were generally used for charting astrological bodies, finding the direction of the qibla, and determining the times of prayer. Maghribi astrolabes such as our example, most of which were produced in Morocco, in particular Marrakesh and Fez, continued the tradition of those from Spain. The Kufic script on this group, while remaining Maghribi, becomes lighter and more mannered (Science, Tools & Magic, p.193).
Our astrolabe is a large example of Maghribi astrolabes. The two plates are engraved on both sides, bearing barbed prayer-time lines usually found on Maghribi astrolabe plates, for the latitude of the city of Al-Qasr and Tlemcen, Misr and Sijilmasa, Marrakesh and Kairouan, and Meknes and Fez. The inside of the mater is blank. On the back there is a double shadow square and six concentric calendrical scales. The throne and suspension apparatus are fairly characteristic of Maghribi astrolabes, as is the 'straight' alidad with typical Maghribi notched decoration along part of its bevelled edge.
Another Maghribi astrolabe was sold at Christie's, London, 21 April 2016, lot 59.