Clocks and Watches at British Museum
How Timepieces Are and Were Made – 500 Years of History on Display
Oct 26, 2008
The British Museum is home to the national collection of horology, with more than 900 clocks and 4,500 watches in its collection. From November 2008 the best examples will be displayed in the Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly Gallery, devoted entirely to clocks and watches.
A Brief History of Time
The gallery is arranged chronologically, and explores the history of timekeeping from its medieval roots to the modern day. The exhibition includes every form of watch from 16th-century stackfreed watches to the intricately decorated watches of the 17th century right through to atomic timepieces of the 20th and 21st centuries. Pieces by Joseph Knibb, Thomas Tompion, George Graham, Ghylis van Gheele, Isaac Habrecht, Hans Schlottheim, David Bouquet and many other master clock makers are on display.
How Clocks and Watches Were Made
The display shows the changing technology of timekeeping – how early clocks and watches were made, how modern pieces are made, how they work, and their impact on society. The exhibition also shows how these items reflected wealth and status before the growth of the mass market.
Hans Schlottheim's Automated Nef
Highlights of the exhibition include Hans Schlottheim’s automated clock in the form of a nef, a medieval galleon. This piece was made in South Germany and dates from around AD 1585. The hours and quarters were struck on bells in the crows nests and the time was shown on a dial at the base of the main mast. The nef also played music and as a finale it fired canon. Pieces like this were incredibly popular at the end of the 16th century and Schlottheim was the most famous maker these timepieces.
Gold and Enamel Cased Watch by David Bouquet
This exquisite gold and enamel cased watch was made in London in 1650. In the early 17th century several French watchmakers, including David Bouquet, were working in London. Their extraordinary skill in enamelling, engraving and lapidary work was such a threat to existing British horologists that in 1622 a petition to stop them trading was sent to King James I. David Bouquet was mentioned in that petition.
This particular watch is testimony to Bouquet's skill. The enamelled gold case is decorated with a floral design. The inside shows a painted landscape and the cover is set with 92 diamonds.
Carillon Clock with Automata, by Isaac Habrecht
This weight-driven gilded-brass clock with religious automata was made in Strasbourg by Isaac Habrecht in around AD 1589. It is a copy of the clock in Strasbourg Cathedral which was designed by Conrad Dasypodius, a mathematician at Strasbourg University.
The clock has dials showing the time, an astronomical dial showing the positions of the sun and moon in the zodiac and a calendar showing the date. As it strikes the hours and quarters automata (figures that seem to move under their own power) play a mix of religious and secular music including a setting of the Lord's Prayer written by Martin Luther in 1545.
The clock case is engraved with the figures of Faith, Hope and Chastity, Wisdom, Fortitude, Justice and the Three Fates. During the 18th century the original control for the verge escapement was replaced with a pendulum to modernise the clock and improve its timekeeping.
Watches – the Publication
To accompany this exhibition the British Museum has published a 176-page catalogue entitled Watches. Written by David Thompson, Curator of Horological Collections at the British Museum, the book provides an illustrated history of watches both as timepieces and as works of art.
More details can be obtained from the British Museum.
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