$823
Brass Indian Astrolabe Mater, signed and dated in Sanskrit on the throne and running along the edge approximately three quarters, "In The Year Samvat 1682 Margasirsa Suklapksa 1 on Sunday (20 November 1625 AD) In The Victorious Reign Of Maharajadhiraja Maharaja Gajasimhaji, This Astrolabe Was Made By Sri Cahrapani , the Son Of Sri Visvanatha Of The Pokaranajnati," with knife-edge shackle on shaped throne with twin piercings, the edge graduated in four quadrants of 90o each by 6s, the reverse graduated into 180 divisions divided into 30 sections of 6 divisions each with ten semicircles within, with further divisions, lines and numbers, the incomplete shadow box with twelve uninscribed compartments above seventeen groups of possible latitudes from 74, 30-90, 0, 0, the interior divided into five circles, dia. 4 1/4 in. Note: The signature, indicates that the maker was a member of the Pokaranajnati, a social/tribal group of Brahmanas (Brahmins), one of whose occupations was astrology. Gajasimhaji was Raja of Mawar in Jodhpur from 1619-1638. This appears to be a mater started by Sri Cahrapani but not completed which was then re-started later by someone else for an unknown purpose, as the markings on the back do not seem to be related to the uses of an astrolabe. It is however, a very early example of an astrolabe of this area, possibly the earliest.Two decorative medallions originally found attached to the mater have been removed but are present.
Auctioneer:
Skinner
Date:
2002-04-13
