The astrolabe is an astronomical calculating device used from ancient times into the eighteenth century. The openwork piece on the front, called the rete, is a star map of the northern sky. Pointers on the rete correspond to stars – on this “zoomorphic” instrument they are in the shape of animal tongues. The outermost circle is the Tropic of Capricorn, and the circle that is off-center represents the zodiac, that is to say the apparent annual motion of the sun. On the brass instrument, the scales below the rete are for a latitude of 52 degrees (there are no separate plates). Measuring the height of a star using the sighting device on the front, one could set the map to find the time of night and the position of other stars.
The brass instrument was made in England, perhaps before 1500, although the sundial scale drawn on the back is of a later date.
Reference:
For a detailed description of this object, see Sharon Gibbs with George Saliba, Planispheric Astrolabes from the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984, pp.15, 23, 45-47, 153-154. The object is referred to in the catalog as CCA No. 2006.
John Davis, "Two Medieval English Astrolabes in the Smithsonian Museum," Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, 2023, #157, pp. 2-17. Davis dates this instrument to the second half of the fourteenth century.
This woodcut may be from John Varden's Washington Museum. Varden's collection included three Durer prints that were received at the Smithsonian in 1858 and sent to the Library of Congress with the Marsh Collection as part of the Smithsonian Deposit in 1865. The Men's Bath was one of three Durers returned to SI in 1888.
The astrolabe is an astronomical calculating device used from ancient times into the eighteenth century. Measuring the height of a star using the back of the instrument, and knowing the latitude, one could find the time of night and the position of other stars. The openwork piece on the front, called the rete, is a star map of the northern sky. Pointers on the rete correspond to stars; the outermost circle is the Tropic of Capricorn, and the circle that is off-center represents the zodiac, the apparent annual motion of the sun. This brass astrolabe has a body and throne plate (there are no separate plates), a handle, ring, rete, alidade, pin, wedge, and index arm. It is signed d (/) q pnel in Gothic script – this may be an owner’s mark.
This isnstrument is sometimes referred to as "Parnel's astrolabe."
Reference:
For a detailed description of this object, see Sharon Gibbs with George Saliba, Planispheric Astrolabes from the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984, pp. 13, 150-151. The object is referred to in the catalog as CCA No. 304.
Robert T. Gunther, Astrolabes of the World, vol II, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1932, p. 483.
John Davis, "Two Medieval English Astrolabes in the Smithsonian Museum," Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, 2023, #157, pp. 2-17. Davis dates this instrument to second quarter of the fourteenth century.
The astrolabe is an astronomical calculating device used from ancient times into the eighteenth century. Measuring the height of a star using the back of the instrument, and knowing the latitude, one could find the time of night and the position of other stars. The openwork piece on the front, called the rete, is a star map of the northern sky. Pointers on the rete correspond to stars; the outermost circle is the Tropic of Capricorn, and the circle that is off-center represents the zodiac, the apparent annual motion of the sun. Engraved plates that fit below the rete have scales of altitude and azimuth (arc of the horizon) for specific latitudes. This Italian astrolabe has six plates, which have scales for latitudes ranging from 31 degrees to 52 degrees, as well a body with throne, handle, ring, rete, alidade, pin, wedge, and index. It is unsigned.
Reference:
For a detailed description of this object, see Sharon Gibbs with George Saliba, Planispheric Astrolabes from the National Museum of American History, Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1984, pp. 13, 139-140. The object is referred to in the catalog as CCA No. 186.
Cast bonze mortar with bell-shaped mouth and heavy semi-circular handles applied at the waist. There are six gothic-style vertical ribs and thin raised bands at the top and bottom of the body. Other decorative motifs include a band of vines and writing at the mouth and one raised and one carved alchemist symbol between ribs for powder.
Urdang attributes this mortar to Florence. The band at the mouth is marked "...NICOLA bARyenini 1477" perhaps the "owner or founder" suggest Urdang.
This albarello has cobalt blue flowers and vines with yellowish–brown accents on a white background. During this early period of Italian majolica colors were generally limited to a rich cobalt blue, manganese and ochre. An escroll in the center of the container is inscribed with gothic lettering that reads Catatiru Impiat. The jar likely would have contained catartico Imperiale, a purgative electuary, or paste, which was made from scammony (bindweed), cardamom, and cinnamon.
This albarello has a white glazed background that is decorated with the portrait of a woman dressed in blue and green. The woman is in profile and is surrounded by stylized vines and leaves created by a series of lozenge–shaped brush strokes. To the left of the woman is a vertical escroll with Chinese–looking characters painted in the interior.
This albarello has cobalt blue and brown bands dividing the jar into three sections. The upper section features blue boxes and fan designs. Around the waist of the jar is a white band with a cobalt blue inscription that reads TVSVEV MNICOLA LVXV. The lower section is decorated with blue vines and flowers.
This bright blue and white albarello has bands of cross hatching at the collar. Blue stripes divide the container into sections. Large blue balls surrounded by elongated triangular shapes with collars. Urdang attributed this albarello to 15th century Florece. 1954 G. Folch Jou felt this piece was of Spanish origin.
A cast mortar with two applied square handles. The mouth of the vessel is flared and has a decorated band of alternating fleur-de-leis, gothic letters and leaves. Three raised rings are at the center of the body. The base of the mortar is formed by three graduated disks. A small circular copper disk has been placed in the bottom of the mortar to cover a hole. Marked "anno domini M CCCC L." Testing the metal content with an X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer concluded that the predominate material to be copper. The turned pestle has rounded ends.
Urdang and Nitardy catalogued this mortar as French. However, in a letter dated 13 April 1954 to George Urdang at the American Institute for the History of Pharmacy at the University of Wisconsin, George Griffenhagen Associate Curator in the Division of Medicine writes that the Spanish historian of pharmacy G. Folch Jou believes this mortar to be of Dutch origin.
