Chamber Clock, c.1625
Maker Unknown
Southern Germany
The iron chamber clock was one of the earliest styles of domestic clocks known in Europe. They were primarily in Germany and Switzerland starting as early as the 16th century. The general style can be found in provincial areas well into the 1800's.
Iron is used throughout the movement for both pivots and wheels. The painted dial and side doors are also made of iron. The clock was originally regulated by means of a foliot escapement which has been converted to a balance wheel.
This object has numerous complications which set it apart from the standard chamber clocks of the era. It strikes the hours and quarter hours on two separate bells. The aperture in the top dial indicates both the deity and associated astrological symbol for each day of the week. The hand points to the symbol for the weekday planets.
The center dial uses two hands to indicate the hour on a twenty-four hour dial and another to indicate the day of the month. A disc revolves behind the time dial to indicate the cycle of the moon with a small window showing the day of the cycle. The lower dial is marked for the quarter hours and functions similarly to a minute hand. The clock runs for approximately thirty hours between windings.
Purchased with Museum Acquisition Funds
94.25
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