HABERMEL, Erasmus
* 0.0.0,
† 15.11.1606, Prague, Czech Republic
Craftsman (instruments)
Nothing reliable is known about H’s origins. The preserved resources allow us to partially reconstruct his life and work. On 2nd August 1593 he received eight gold coins as a wedding present, a year later, he was appointed by the Emperor as „the maker of astronomical and geometrical instruments“ and he was receiving a salary of eight guilders per month.
The evidence of his surviving instruments show that H. worked in Prague until 1580. Around twenty instruments are dedicated to Frantisek of Paduansky of Forli. This Italian doctor lived in Prague for some time and was a personal physician of Rudolf II. He made some mathematical devices for the Archduke Maximilian and an astrological laboratory for Alessandro Farnese, the Duke of Parma. H. specialized in small instruments with engravings, gilded with gold foil. His workshop produced unique instruments that were different in terms of function, form and size. The wide range of his instruments includes sundials, stardials and monthdials, quadrants, sextants, astronomical and astrological compendia, torqueta, theodolites, triangular instruments, surveying and drawing instruments, pair of compasses, rulers and astrolabes. Some 100 preserved instruments bear witness to his creativity. Of particular importance is the sextant, made in 1600 for an unknown customer.
H. was, among other things, also supported by the astronomer Tyche Brache and his assistants.
