Three scientific instruments are illustrated as inlays on a cabinet belonging to Federico da Montefeltro, Prince of Urbino: a mechanical clockwork, an armillary sphere and an astrolabe.
The highly detailed marquetry image is a depiction of the Urbino astrolabe, which was located in the Musée Anne de Beaujeu in Moulins. It was stolen there on August 26, 1977 and has been missing ever since. Apart from the inlay work, only two photographs bear witness to the instrument. These recordings are followed by the reconstruction.
The signature »1462 Urbini K« can be found on the reverse side of the astrolabe, confirming the origin of the missing instrument from Urbino. The letter »K« is perhaps related to the signature »KP« on the suspension. The resolution of the abbreviation as »Küngsperger«, i.e. Johannes Regiomontanus, remains speculative, although Regiomontanus is said to have stayed in Urbino in the winter of 1461/1462.
The complete description of the instrument as PDF for download
