Details
Image(s)
TitleWall Clock with String Playing Movement, 'Harfenuhr'
Creatorunknown
PlaceBlack Forrest (Germany)
Year ca. 1795
Object number1273
Object nametimepiece with strings, wall clock
DescriptionThis clock sounds thanks to the resonating of strings struck by hammers. This construction was relatively simple and did not weigh much. Remarkably, this clock was mostly made of wood. This was typical for Black Forest clocks, where wood was naturally abundantly available; therefore, the material was widely used.
Accompanying textsIn the Netherlands we know the melody on this clock particularly well in association with the text of the familiar Sinterklaas song 'O kom er eens kijken'. But it was originally written in 1793 as "Freut euch des Lebens," a text by M. Usteri to music by H. Nägeli. The strings are fragile and easily detuned. When tuned, however, the musical possibilities are vast and refined. This made this type of clock a rather special instrument.
String clocks are relatively rare. Often this type of playing mechanism was removed because it quickly became detuned and thus required a lot of maintenance. In this particular case, we only have the inner work and the dial remaining. Another name for a string-playing clock is a "Harfenuhr". But because this particular clock was made in the Black Forest, we can also call it a 'Hackbrettuhr' - a name determined by the geographical location. This latter term cannot be applied to a string-playing clock from any other region.
String clocks are relatively rare. Often this type of playing mechanism was removed because it quickly became detuned and thus required a lot of maintenance. In this particular case, we only have the inner work and the dial remaining. Another name for a string-playing clock is a "Harfenuhr". But because this particular clock was made in the Black Forest, we can also call it a 'Hackbrettuhr' - a name determined by the geographical location. This latter term cannot be applied to a string-playing clock from any other region.
Dimensions
instr t/m snarenbak height: 82.5 cm
instr t/m snarenbak width: 40 cm
instr t/m snarenbak depth: 27 cm
incl. bok height: 152 cm
incl. bok width: 60 cm
incl. bok depth: 60 cm
instr t/m snarenbak width: 40 cm
instr t/m snarenbak depth: 27 cm
incl. bok height: 152 cm
incl. bok width: 60 cm
incl. bok depth: 60 cm
Digital references