Astrolabe made by Ferdinand Arsenius, Antwerp, Flanders, 1607-1618.
Astrolabes were used for astronomy and time-telling. This is a planispheric astrolabe with three latitude plates (39°/ 42°, 48°/51° & 45°). It has a shadow dial scale on the reverse and a magnetic compass adjacent to the suspension ring. The reverse side is engraved with a Gemma Frisius universal projection with rule and pointer, with the alidade fitted to the front. The recess beneath the plates (known as the womb of the mater) is engraved with a ‘Quadratum Nauticum’ (navigational quadrant) scale.