The astrolabe of Amirdovlat Amasiatsi, 1479

This astrolabe is the work of the Armenian physician Amirdovlat Amasiatsi. He was born around 1420 in Amasia and died in 1496 in Constantinople. He was trained as a physician, pharmacist and chronicler, and knew many languages, including Arabic, Persian, Greek and Latin. For many years he was court physician to Sultan Mehmed II the Conqueror and wrote many of his works at his court.

The astrolabe was made in 1479 and bears Amirdovlat’s name. It has a frame on which 5 discs rotate, engraved with symbols, letters, names of stars and constellations, and circles. The engravings include the name ‘Amirdovlat Bzhshkapet’ (chief physician). Engraved Armenian letters can be seen on the rim.

It is considered one of the most important Armenian astronomical instruments. In 1997 it was bought at auction by a prince of Qatar for more than 200,000 dollars.