Astronomical Table Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1500-1600
This astronomical table clock, held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, is constructed from gilt-bronze and measures 14.75 inches in height. The object features a rectangular form with dials on four faces, incorporating astronomical indications alongside timekeeping and an alarm function.
It includes an arched top section with decorative detailing and is surmounted by a female figure. The physical description identifies it as a German-made clock from the 16th century, while the primary object type is attributed to Venice during the same period. The clock has a provenance linked to the collection of Jules Soulages (1803-1857), a lawyer from Toulouse, before its acquisition by the South Kensington Museum in the mid-19th century.
A gilt-bronze figure of Minerva was added as a finial to the clock in September 1920, donated by Mr. J. Whitecombe Greene.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- 1500-1600
- Type
- Table clock
- Materials
- Gilt-bronze
- Dimensions
- 14.75 inches
- Provenance
- Jules Soulages
- Object Type
- Astronomical clock
- Modification
- Minerva finial added 1920
- Place recorded
- Venice
- Attributed Origin
- Venice (made)
Design
- Visible features
- • The gilt-bronze case features floral and foliate engraving on all visible sides. • The main dial incorporates astronomical indications, including signs of the zodiac and lunar tracking. • The clock is configured with an arched top, a colonnaded gallery, and sculpted figures at the corners. • The base is flared and features decorative engraved bands matching the case panels.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The clock is housed in a rectangular gilt-bronze case that features extensive surface engraving of floral and foliate patterns. The structure includes an arched upper section, or dome, supported by a colonnaded gallery with figurative elements at the corners. The primary dial display is highly complex, integrated into the front panel of the case, and is designed to present multiple temporal and astronomical measurements simultaneously. The timekeeping functionality is complemented by astronomical indications, which are visible across the central dial. This includes a circular arrangement reflecting zodiacal and lunar data. The overall design incorporates four faces, with the final dial featuring four distinct figures. The base of the clock is flared, providing a stable foundation that is decorated with a pattern consistent with the rest of the gilt-bronze casing.
- Provenance and Acquisition
- The object originated from the collection of Jules Soulages (1803-1857), a lawyer based in Toulouse. The South Kensington Museum acquired the clock in installments between 1859 and 1865. A significant modification occurred in 1920 when a gilt-bronze figure of Minerva, donated by Mr. J. Whitecombe Greene, was added to the top of the clock to serve as a finial.
- Attribution and Geographical Classification
- The museum record lists the clock with two distinct geographical attributions. It is labeled as being of Venetian origin in the primary object details, with a production date range of 1500-1600. However, the physical description provided in the records suggests that the clock may be of German manufacture, also dated to the 16th century. These attribution notes illustrate the complexities in assessing the origins of this astronomical instrument. The record does not reconcile these differing attributions, presenting both the Venetian and German possibilities for the provenance of the object's construction.
Identification
- Accession Number
- 638&A-1865
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: The source provides conflicting origins, citing both Venice and Germany.
- Research required: The Minerva finial added in 1920 is a later modification to the original 16th-century case.