Table clock, Germany, 1600-1700
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1600-1700
Table clock, Germany, 1600-1700 is an object recorded by Victoria and Albert Museum, dated 1600-1700. The museum's brief description reads: A drum-shaped gilt-brass table alarm clock, with pierced upper section and dial on upper surface, German, 17th century..
Museum description: Cylindrical case engraved with a male and a female demi-figure terminating in foliated scrolls; above this is a band of openwork foliated scrolls enclosing the bell. Removable base with a moulded rim and engraved with a cartouche with a wreath. The outer dial is numbered with Roman numerals 1-XII and with half hour marks as an inner flange with arabic numerals 13-24. The centre of the dial is engraved with a wind rose; the hour indicator- an iron pointer- is mounted on a central silver alarm disc numbered 1-11 over which a small hand revolves to set the alarum.
There is a short central alarm-setting hand.The gut fusee may be inspected through a small door in the side of the case. The movement frame consists of three turned baluster pillars and three circular plates. The movement wheels are of iron except for the contrate wheel. The spring barrels are brass. The going train has a long… The museum record gives material recorded as brass; measurements Height 3 in; Diameter 4.5 in; Diameter 6.5 cm; Height 6.1 cm; place associated: Germany.
These details come from the holding museum's own record; how far this object represents a wider collectible type has not yet been independently verified.
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.
Historical context
This table clock with an alarum mechanism is formed as a drum providing stability for the movement it contains.The centre of the dial is flat but decorated with the sun or wind motif, symbolic of the ancient cult of the sun as source of life, that was revived in the Renaissance through the writings of Marcellus Ficino in the 15th century and Robert Fludd in the 17th century. Drum-shaped table clocks also served as time-keepers whilst travelling. Such clocks were made in Southern Germany, in Augsburg and Nuremberg, and exported accross Europe. They were cherished possessions and often shown in portraits of European kings and princes. The portrait of the French king Henri II by Primaticcio show a similar table clock on the table beside the sitter.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- brass
- Dimensions
- Height 3 in; Diameter 4.5 in; Diameter 6.5 cm; Height 6.1 cm
Technical characteristics
- Technique
- Engraved and gilt brass
- Place recorded
- Germany
Identification
- Museum object name
- Table Clock
- Museum object number
- M.175-1938
- Museum system number
- O381384
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: confirm materials, dimensions, maker and wider type against the holding institution and a specialist reference.