Historic ‘Supercomputer’ Astrolabe Breaks Auction Record in London
A magnificent 17th-century brass astrolabe, a sophisticated hand-held astronomical device, has shattered records by selling for over £2 million ($2.75 million) at a London auction. This extraordinary artifact once belonged to the royal family of Jaipur, a city in western India renowned for its rich cultural heritage.
Sotheby’s, the auction house responsible for the sale, confirmed this astrolabe now holds the highest price ever achieved for an astronomical instrument from the Islamic world. The piece was showcased in Sotheby’s London galleries prior to the auction, drawing significant attention from collectors and historians alike.
The Largest Known Astrolabe from the Era
Benedict Carter, head of Sotheby’s Islamic and Indian Art department, described the astrolabe as “perhaps the largest in existence.” Remarkably, this exquisite instrument had never been publicly exhibited before, making its auction debut a landmark event in the world of antique scientific instruments.
Royal Provenance and Glamorous History
The astrolabe once graced the collection of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur. Following his death, ownership passed to his wife, Maharani Gayatri Devi, celebrated as one of India’s most glamorous royal figures. Later, the piece entered a private collection during her lifetime, preserving its exclusivity and mystique.
A Marvel of Scientific Ingenuity
Astrolabes consist of intricately crafted metallic disks with multiple interlocking layers. Historically, they served myriad purposes: telling time, mapping celestial bodies, determining the direction of Mecca, and tracking the movement of the skies. Their complexity and versatility earned them the nickname of ancient “supercomputers.”
Dr. Federica Gigante from the Oxford Centre for History of Science, Medicine and Technology emphasizes their significance: “Astrolabes are essentially a two-dimensional projection of a three-dimensional universe. I compare them to modern-day smartphones because you can do so many things with them.”
Beyond astronomy, these devices enabled users to calculate sunrise and sunset times, measure the height of buildings, determine well depths, estimate distances, and even forecast the future. Paired with an almanac, astrolabes were crucial in casting horoscopes, blending scientific precision with mystical tradition.
