Collection of 18th/19th century Arabic astrolabes and quadrant

Dating from the 18th and 19th century, this superb collection is a set of astrolabes and a quadrant, beautiful Persian brass astronomical instruments that are reminiscent of Islamic Golden age scientific advances and discoveries. Of various sizes, and in their essence consisting of a base-plate or disc, known as a mater, which is overlaid with various flat plates or tympans, they are astronomical objects, made to give a handheld model of the stars and the universe, and also the bearer to solve complex astronomical problems.

Originally a Hellenistic invention, these objects became particularly popular in the Islamic Golden age and Medieval period, with their use extending into the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, becoming ever more refined, as demonstrated by these items. The quadrant is a similar device, effectively a distillation of an astrolabe into a smaller rectangular piece. The pieces are all beautifully engraved and carved with precise measurements, maps and Arabic inscriptions, and many feature wonderful animal depictions or floral decoration to complement their practical function.

Largest: height 23cm, width 13cm, depth 3cm
Smallest: height 6.5cm, width 4.5cm, depth 1.5cm