Gilt copper and iron, South German, 1580-85, the clock face dated 1620 and signed by Thobias Küster.

V&A — Summary

A gilt copper table clock in the form of a Doric temple with a late dial inscribed and dated Thobias Küster 1620. The side panels are engraved with figures representing 'Astrologia', 'Geometrica' and 'Arithmetica' taken from woodcuts by Hans Sebald. The clock case is South German, about 1580.

V&A — Physical description

Case: The case of gilt copper, the face a later addition, the side panels engraved with figures emblematic of the Sciences from designs by H. S. Beham and signed with the monogram A.P. The case of square section with an attached Doric column on a plinth at each corner. The top of the case surrounded by a Doric frieze and entablature supported by the four columns. The intervening panels between the columns are engraved with the allegorical figures of Astrology, Geometry and Arithmetic. These representations are copied from woodcuts by Hans Sebald Beham. The panels between the plinths are engraved with various types of foliage enclosing roundels with profile Roman heads. The fourth side contains the clock face and has evidently been inserted later, presumably in 1620, the date engraved on it. Within the hour ring of the clock is an alarm indicator dial which revolves with the single hour hand. The alarm indicator hand is missing. On the front of the clock, above the cornice, is a revolving sphere, one half of which is gilt and one half blue. This revolves once in twenty-four hours. In the centre of the top is the bell for the alarm and the striking mechanisms. The gilded exterior of the bell is etched with arabesques and it is suspended from a frame consisting of four legs surmounted by grotesque bearded heads and terminating in lions' paws. The meeting point of the legs forms a pedestal for a draped female figure whose attributes, if any, are now missing. At each corner of the top is a figure of a putto blowing a horn. The female figure's upper arms appear to be restored; one of the putto is ungilded and may be a replacement. Dial: Dial-plate, 11.4 cm x 7.3 cm, with engraved chapter-ring 6.3 cm diameter. Roman hours I to XII, punched dots as half-hour marks. Central alarm disc 3.8 cm diameter, engraved 1 to 12 in arabic, with dots at half-hours. Signed elow chapter-ring "THOBIAS KUSTER 1620". The whole plate a later replacement. Single pierced iron hour-hand. Movement: Frame and movement mainly of iron, but with two brass wheels, probably renewals. Posted movement, with square baluster corner pillars. The trains mounted between three vertical strips, which continue downwards below the baseplate, the two outer strips ending in splayed-out feet. The spring barrels mounted between these lower extensions. Both trains with fusees, the going train with a chain and the striking train with a gut line. Going train, in front of movement, now with escapement of "tic-tac" type; escape wheel of 35 teeth, the pallets embracing 3 teeth. The bob pendulum now broken off. The globe, half light, half dark, mounted above the dial rotates once in 24 hours, and is driven through a skew arbor. Striking train, in rear of movement, of count wheel type, the wheel out for the usual sequence 1 to 12. The bell is gilt and engraved with strapwork. The alarm train, formerly at the top right of the movement, is now missing.

V&A — Object history

One of five clocks given by Dr W.L.Hildburgh FSA. Dr Hildburgh had an endearing habit of giving the museum presents at Christmas and on his own birthday. Dr Hildburgh bought boxwood carvings, Spanish silver, the interiors of the Northumberland House Glass Drawing Room; and when he died bequeathed the rest of his collection.