The astrolabe, an ancient astronomical computer, has been sold at a UK auction house for a staggering £1.5 million. The sale price far exceeded the estimated £450,000 to £600,000 that experts had predicted.
Commissioned in 1722 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur, the astrolabe is possibly the largest in existence and features intricate carvings and engravings. It was previously unknown to have been exhibited publicly before its sale at the auction house.
The sale is a significant cultural discovery for historians and scholars studying the astronomical knowledge of 17th-century India. The device's precise construction suggests that it may have played a crucial role in the development of astronomy during this period.
Experts are eagerly awaiting the astrolabe's return to public display, where its history and significance can be better appreciated by the public.