Incense Clock, 1980
John D. Read, NAWCC #3572
Japan
This is a scaled replica of an ancient stylizes Oriental Dragon Fire Clock. The original is installed at the Omi Shrine in Ohtsu-shi, Shiga Prefecture, near Kyto, Japan.
Seven pairs of brass strike balls are suspended underneath the dragon by a silk thread. Each pair are spaced four inches apart. Incense inside the body of the dragon burns slowly at the rate of two inches per hour. As the fire burns through the silk thread supporting a pair of strike balls, it causes them to fall into the gong beneath the dragon, thus sounding the hours.
Donated by Rolex Ltd. (Japan)
80.41.1