Details
Image(s)
TitleLongcase Clock with Bell Playing Movement, ‘Valerius Clock’
Creatorunknown
Year ca. 1680
Object number0581
Object categorymechanical instruments with bells, timepieces with musical movements
Object nametimepiece with bells, longcase clock
DescriptionThis longcase bell-playing clock has a reprogrammable cylinder with a series of iron 'pins' similar to a tower carillon. The case is oak veneered. The dial indicates hours, seconds and minutes. The mechanism is triggered by a weight.
Accompanying textsThe cylinder takes one hour to make a full turn, like most historical carillons. The music programme consists of diverse repertoire, playing at a different moment in the hour. Every 15 minutes, for instance, the bell plays short, musical motifs from Utrecht student songs. On the half hour it plays 'Weest nu Verblijd', and on the full hour a minuet.
Another feature that relates this bell more to older tower carillons than to the bell-playing clocks that became popular in the 18th century is the placement of the bells. As in a carillon, the bells here are side by side, with space between them. In the later clocks, the bells were placed in an overlapping series, with the bells partially stacked inside each other to save space.
Another feature that relates this bell more to older tower carillons than to the bell-playing clocks that became popular in the 18th century is the placement of the bells. As in a carillon, the bells here are side by side, with space between them. In the later clocks, the bells were placed in an overlapping series, with the bells partially stacked inside each other to save space.
Dimensions
geheel height: 285 cm
geheel width: 68 cm
geheel depth: 62 cm
cilinder length: 16.5 cm
cilinder diameter: 18 cm
geheel width: 68 cm
geheel depth: 62 cm
cilinder length: 16.5 cm
cilinder diameter: 18 cm