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Astrolabe of ‘Umar ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Ali ibn Rasul al-Muzaffari

dated 690 AH/1291 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 454
For an object produced during the medieval period, this astrolabe is unusually well documented. Its inscription attributes it to a Rasulid prince, 'Umar ibn Yusuf, a few years before he ascended to the throne (r. 1295–96). 'Umar compiled a number of scientific treatises, including one on the construction of astrolabes, an autographed version of which, preserved in Cairo, contains certifications by his teachers as to his competence as a maker of such devices and a description of this very piece.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Astrolabe of ‘Umar ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Ali ibn Rasul al-Muzaffari
  • Maker: ‘Umar ibn Yusuf ibn ‘Umar ibn ‘Ali ibn Rasul al-Muzaffari (Yemini, ruled 1295–96)
  • Date: dated 690 AH/1291 CE
  • Geography: Made in Yemen
  • Medium: Brass; cast and hammered, pierced, chased, inlaid with silver
  • Dimensions: Case (a): Max. W. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm)
    Diam. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm)
    D. 1/4 in. (0.6 cm)
    Bar with attached nail (b): Max. H. 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm)
    Max. W. 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm)
    L. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
    Net (c): Diam. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
    Plates (d-g): Diam. 5 in. (12.7 cm)
    Pin (h): L. 1 3/4 in. (4.4 cm)
    W. 1/2 in. (1.3 cm)
  • Classification: Metal
  • Credit Line: Edward C. Moore Collection, Bequest of Edward C. Moore, 1891
  • Object Number: 91.1.535a–h
  • Curatorial Department: Islamic Art

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