1864

Bronze astrolabe in exceptional condition, dated 1656, maker Agostinho de Goes Raposo (Lisbon), alid

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Maritime Start Price:28,000.00 USD Estimated At:35,000.00 - 50,000.00 USD
Bronze astrolabe in exceptional condition, dated 1656, maker Agostinho de Goes Raposo (Lisbon), alid
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This item SOLD at 2010 Apr 09 @ 17:51UTC-4 : AST/EDT
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Bronze astrolabe in exceptional condition, dated 1656, maker Agostinho de Goes Raposo (Lisbon), alidade intact. 2425 grams, 6-1/2" in diameter and 3/4" thick. Consisting of a graduated circle with a rotating alidade in the center, all in thick, sturdy bronze, this astrolabe was used to determine latitude by measuring the sun's altitude using vertical angles. Holding the instrument by its top ring (missing on this piece) so that the astrolabe would suspend vertically, the navigator could turn the alidade to point to the sun at noontime and read off the angle and therefore the latitude from the scale around the ring. Such instruments are quite rare today and are meticulously cataloged by the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England, whose records in the 1988 reference book by Alan Stimson The Mariner's Astrolabe reported that only 65 were known to exist at the time. We estimate that probably no more than a dozen or so have come to light since then, and the present specimen is making its first appearance. What is most significant about this piece is that on the semi-circular structure at the bottom one can make out both a date (16-56 flanking an undeciphered central marking) and the maker's name GOYS in the outer ring at the very bottom. For now the details emanate weakly from underneath a lovely tan and green patina all over, as it is still uncleaned; but careful conservation at this point could reveal one of the best preserved salvaged specimens of all time, especially since the often-missing alidade is intact (its sights just bent inward slightly). For comparison (albeit with much more significant provenance), the four astrolabes from the Atocha (1622) sold in 1988 (Christie's) for an average of $87,450 each! Recovered from: Mid-1600s wreck off South America.