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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Tool · Latin-inscribed astrolabe

Astrolabe by Humphry Cole

Partially verified

This astrolabe, inventory number 43454, is a gilt brass instrument attributed to the English mathematical instrument maker Humphry Cole, dated circa 1575. The device comprises a mater and limb of one-piece construction, a rete featuring 13 star pointers, two latitude plates, and a double-ended, counter-changed alidade and rule. The rete and plates are attributed to Cole, though the mater's attribution remains debated due to stylistic variations in engraving and numeral forms. An anthropomorphic sun figure is centered on the back. The instrument features a simple brass throne with foliate engraving and a rotating pin-type shackle. The limb bears a 1659 inscription recording its donation to the University of Oxford by Nicholas Greaves. Originally made for English use, the instrument is part of the History of Science Museum's collection, having been acquired via the Gunther family in 1986.

Full view of the astrolabe showing the rete, throne, and limb scales.
Full view of the astrolabe showing the rete, throne, and limb scales. — History of Science Museum, University of Oxford. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.mhs.ox.ac.uk
Category
Tool · Latin-inscribed astrolabe
Maker / attribution
Humphry Cole
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
43454
Source-reported date
ca. 1575
Source-reported place
London

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Attribution and Construction

The astrolabe is attributed to the English maker Humphry Cole, circa 1575. The instrument is constructed from gilt brass. The rete, which features 13 star pointers, and the two latitude plates are considered the work of Cole, showing close resemblance to his other dated instruments. However, the mater's authorship is less certain due to discrepancies in numeral forms and engraving style compared to the rete and plates.

The throne is a simple brass design featuring an integrated base with foliate engravings on both front and back. The ring is a simple round cross-section piece, pierced by the attachment pin. The instrument includes a rotating pin-type shackle and a double-ended, counter-changed alidade and rule. One alidade sight is notably bent toward the instrument's center.

Evidence for this section
  • “Here, the rete and two plates can be confidently attributed to him.”
  • “However, although they fit neatly into the mater, it is not so sure that the mater is by Cole: there are some stylistic differences in the engraving”
  • “The throne is of the simple type made of brass attached with integrated base made of brass”

Features and Scales

The back of the instrument contains six distinct scales including altitude, zodiacal signs, calendar, shadow square, unequal hours, and equal hours. A decorative anthropomorphic sun is situated in the center of the unequal hour diagram. The limb, which is of one-piece construction with the mater, features a degree scale (0-360) and an equal hours scale (1-12).

The rete is of the simple indicator-line type. The zodiac on the rete is labeled with standard nomenclature. The two plates provided allow for latitudes ranging from 51 to 55 degrees, indicating the instrument was originally intended for use in England.

Evidence for this section
  • “The back contains 6 scales of the following types: Altitude; Zodiacal signs; Calendar; Shadow square; Unequal hours; Equal hours.”
  • “An anthropomorphic sun decorates the middle of the unequal hour diagram on the back of the instrument.”
  • “There are 2 plates with latitudes ranging from 51°0' to 55°0' .”

Provenance and Inscriptions

The instrument includes an inscription on the limb reading '1659. Acad. Oxon. Ex dono Nic Greaves. S.T.D.', which records its donation to the University of Oxford by Nicholas Greaves in memory of his brother, John Greaves, and John Bainbridge. This inscription is considered a later addition to the original instrument. The instrument was historically part of the Savilian Collection at Oxford.

In the modern era, the astrolabe entered the Gunther Collection, eventually being presented to the History of Science Museum by A. E. Gunther in 1986.

Evidence for this section
  • “It bears around the edge part of the standard contemporary inscription ('1659. Acad. Oxon. {Ex dono Nic Greaves. S.T.D.')”
  • “This inscription is probably a later addition to the instrument.”
  • “His son A. E. Gunther added this astrolabe to the collection in 1971, having come across it at the Heacham, Norfolk, home of his mother.”

Open research questions

  • What specific stylistic differences distinguish the engraving of the mater from the rete and plates?
  • Why does the instrument contain a 'naively styled' sun face compared to other confirmed works by Cole?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Astrolabe by Humphry Cole
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHumphry Cole“Maker Humphry Cole”
Dateca. 1575“Date ca. 1575”
MaterialGilt brass“Material Gilt brass”
Inventory number43454“Inventory no. 43454”
ProvenancePresented by A. E. Gunther in 1986“Acquisition Presented by A. E. Gunther in 1986”
Inscription1659. Acad. Oxon. Ex dono Nic Greaves. S.T.D.“Acad. Oxon. Ex dono Nic Greaves. S.T.D. (1659. University of Oxford. From the gift of Nicholas Greaves, doctor of theology)”
Star Count13“The rete contains 13 stars.”

Visible details

  • Anthropomorphic sun face engraving on the back
  • Foliate decoration on the front and back of the throne
  • Bent sight on the alidade
  • One-piece construction of the mater and limb

Research qualifications

  • Authorship of the mater is not certain due to engraving differences
  • Inscription on the limb is likely a later addition

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Astrolabe, inventory 43454 (London, ca. 1575)

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 9d895c432f

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other latin-inscribed astrolabe records