Details
Image(s)
TitleBell Playing Carriage Clock
Creatorunknown
Year ca. 1790
Object number0820
Object nametimepiece with bells, carriage clock
DescriptionThis elegant carriage clock is studded with polished white and red stones. The back is guillocheed (decorated with a popular machine-engraved repeating pattern), and covered with a striking translucent dark blue enamel.
Accompanying textsThe clock has six bells with hammers and plays music on the whole hour. The small cylinder can play four different melodies, which appear to be dance numbers.
This unsigned watch was probably made for the English market, given the English markings on the back. Small bell-playing clocks/watches like this were precursors to comb-playing watches, as musical combs could be made much smaller than bells, giving even smaller items a much greater tonal range.
This unsigned watch was probably made for the English market, given the English markings on the back. Small bell-playing clocks/watches like this were precursors to comb-playing watches, as musical combs could be made much smaller than bells, giving even smaller items a much greater tonal range.
Dimensions
geheel diameter: 9.5 cm
geheel depth: 4 cm
cilinder height: 1 cm
cilinder diameter: 1.8 cm
geheel depth: 4 cm
cilinder height: 1 cm
cilinder diameter: 1.8 cm