Bracket Clock
date: label: date made
content: late 17th century
notes: label: Description
content: Bracket clock, Dutch, last quarter of the 17th century
label: Description
content: Johannes Van Ceulen made this clock in The Hague, Holland, in collaboration with Christiaan Huygens. Huygens (1629-1693) patented the design for the first practical pendulum clock in 1657.
label: Description
content: In common with other so-called “Hague clocks,” which were made in several Dutch cities and by other clockmakers in Huygens’ time, this Van Ceulen clock has a single spring that drives both time and strike trains, a pendulum suspended between curved “cycloidal cheeks” (designed to correct the oscillation period of the pendulum for variations in its swing’s amplitude) and an ebonized fruitwood case reminiscent of classical architecture. The pediment of the case, with its gilt floral pattern, serves not only a decorative function, but also conceals the clock’s externally mounted bell. Also typical are the velvet-covered brass dial plate and the prominent figure of Chronos, or Father Time. The figure supports the chapter ring and rests on two signature plaques inscribed “Johannes Van/Ceulen Haghe.” The backplate is also marked “Johannes Van Ceulen/Fecit Haghe.” This clock has a two-day movement, verge and crown wheel escapement with crutch, silk thread suspension for the pendulum and count wheel striking. The alarm work is missing.
label: Description
content: References:
label: Description
content: 1. Mahoney, Michael S. “Christian Huygens: The Measurement of Time and of Longitude at Sea,” in <i>Studies on Christiaan Huygens,</i> Edited by H.J.M. Bos <i>et al.</i> (Lisse: Swets, 1980), 234-270.
label: Description
content: 2. Plomp, R. <i>Spring-Driven Dutch Pendulum Clocks, 1657-1710.</i> Schiedam: Interbook International B.V., 1979.
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Mechanisms
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content: Time and Navigation
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content: Measuring & Mapping
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 1984.0416.004
label: accession number
content: 1984.0416
label: catalog number
content: 1984.0416.004
objectType: label: Object Name
content: clock
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: brass (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: steel (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: wood (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall - clock: 19 1/4 in x 11 1/2 in x 5 7/8 in; 48.895 cm x 29.21 cm x 14.9225 cm