A rare 17th-century astrolabe once owned by Jaipur royalty is set to be auctioned at Sotheby’s in London later this month. The brass instrument, described as a hand-held astronomical calculator, will go under the hammer on April 29 after spending years in a private collection. The piece was part of the collection of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur and later passed to his wife, Maharani Gayatri Devi. During her lifetime, it moved into private hands.
Benedict Carter, head of Islamic and Indian art at Sotheby’s, said the object has never been publicly displayed and may be the largest astrolabe known to exist, reports BBC.
Astrolabes are complex metal devices made up of layered, movable parts that were historically used to track celestial positions, tell time, determine direction and perform calculations related to astronomy and astrology. Scholars often describe them as early scientific tools capable of multiple functions, similar in versatility to modern digital devices.
This particular astrolabe was crafted in Lahore in the early 17th century, when the city was a major center of instrument-making in the Mughal empire. It was produced by brothers Qa’im Muhammad and Muhammad Muqim, members of the renowned “Lahore School” of astrolabe makers. Only one other instrument is known to have been jointly made by the pair.
Commissioned by Mughal nobleman Aqa Afzal, who governed Lahore at the time, the astrolabe reflects both wealth and scientific interest at the Mughal court. The instrument weighs over 8 kilograms, measures nearly 30 centimeters in diameter and stands about 46 centimeters tall—significantly larger than typical examples from the period.
It features 94 engraved cities with their coordinates, 38 star pointers and finely calibrated plates with highly precise degree markings. The inscriptions include both Persian and Sanskrit.
Sotheby’s estimates it will sell for between £1.5 million and £2.5 million, potentially setting a new benchmark for such instruments.
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