Two decorative astrolabes, Persia, probably 20th century

Repairs with some losses and replacements, as viewed.
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The larger astrolabe:
The throne is unusual for an Islamic astrolabe of any kind. The rete has several star-pointers unnamed, and amongst the star-names, some that are in the incorrect positions (e.g., fakka, shâmî, fard and wâqi'). Even the name of one of the zodiacal signs is misspelled: w-l-w for dalw. Nevertheless the design of the rete is reminiscent of those of earlier Iranian astrolabes, with a distinctive pair of "crab's claws" attached to the inside of the upper part of the ecliptic.

The plates, on the other hand, are fairly carefully constructed and could be part of a functional astrolabe. They serve latitudes 21° [Mecca], 33° [Baghdad], 34° [Samarra ?], 36° [Tehran] and 45° [Constantinople] (no place-names are marked). Altitude circles are drawn for each 6° and azimuth circles for each 10° above the horizon for latitudes 33°, 34° and 36°; those drawn below the horizon on the plate for latitude 45° are incorrectly constructed (they are not perpendicular to the altitude circles). There is also a plate of 20 horizons, accurately drawn.

The mater is engraved with an incomplete gazetteer with longitudes and latitudes for about 55 localities. Some of the names are misspelled, some of the data confused (degrees and minutes reversed). The back of the instrument is functional. It has a trigonometric quadrant in the upper left, with horizontals and quarter-circles for each 5°. On the upper right is a solar quadrant with curves for the zuhr and 'asr prayer, that is, mid-day and mid-afternoon, for latitude 36°. This could be taken as evidence that the instrument was intended for use in Tehran, although 36° is also the latitude of the middle of the 4th climate - the centre of the seven climates of Antiquity - and so was used as a general latitude for pedagogic purposes. Below the horizontal diameter is a double shadow quadrant (sullamî) to bases 7 feet (aqdâm on the left) and 12 digits (asâbi' on the right). The alidade is appropriately fitted with a sexagesimal scale for use with the trigonometric quadrant.

In brief, this is a curious piece, with the rete far less carefully executed that the rest. The hypothesis that the rete is a replacement is unlikely because the instrument is so late. If this is of one piece, then it is a decorative astrolabe, that is, one not intended for serious use.

The smaller astrolabe:
This is another curious piece. The rete is coarsely worked, with very few star-names engraved on the star-pointers. There are five plates, all properly executed. Two have the pegs and are still functional, two have the pegs broken off, and the fifth plate, which has a cut-out at the bottom, does not belong. The mater is without serious markings and the back is unfinished.

The throne is large and somewhat ungainly. The rete is a coarse attempt to render a foliated design. The mater bears no markings other than a series of concentric circles. There is a hole at the inside of the bottom to receive the pegs of the plates.

Of the five plates, one bears a series of 30 horizons on one side and markings for latitude 39°. The latter has altitude circles for each 3° and azimuth circles for each 10° above the horizon. Another plate has a cut-out at the bottom, and was hence intended for another astrolabe (that is, one with a peg at the bottom of the inside of the mater). It bears markings for 12° on one side and 36° on the other. There are altitude circles for each 6° on both sides. The former has altitude circles for each 10° above and below the horizon and the latter only below the horizon. The two plates with a peg serve latitudes 32°, 34°, 36° and 38°. There are altitude circles for each 3° and azimuth circles for each 10° above the horizon.

The back is unfinished and crudely worked. There is a trigonometric quadrant in the upper left, a solar quadrant in the upper right, and a particularly badly constructed double shadow-square below the horizon. Again, it is not clear how this piece came to its present state.