Boing Boing

Boing Boing

Giant 17th Century astrolabe could fetch millions at auction

Rob Beschizza
Apr 27, 2026
∙ Paid

Image: Sotheby’s

A 17th-century brass astrolabe, said to be the “perhaps the largest in existence” by Sotheby’s Benedict Carter, is up for auction in London on Wednesday. The BBC reports that it’s 30cm wide and 46cm tall, and weighs 8.2kg. ending up in the royal collection of Jaipur’s Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, but originally commissioned by Aqa Azfal,…

User's avatar

Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Boing Boing.

Or purchase a paid subscription.
© 2026 Happy Mutants LLC · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture