Antique German Black Forest Mantle Clock, C1880
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.
The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.
Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.
The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.
The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
A mid 19th century French mantel clock with painted and jewelled sevres style porcelain urns, and panels depicting falconry hunting scenes. Eight day movement with bell strike. Stamped Chucne with no. 28616. Garnitures incomplete. Height 30 cm
Antique English Georgian green lacquer chinossiere decorated long case clock, movement by Jacob Odell St Albans, the dial with subsidiary second dial, calendar aperture, the trunk with green chinossiere decoration (has key and pendulum), approx 2.25m
A cobalt blue enamel and ormolu mantel clock, French, 19th century, 37 cm high
Fine antique English Georgian Chinoiserie black lacquer longcase clock, arched brass dial with silvered chapter ring, engraved Tempus Fugit by Sam Morris London, eight day movement with subsidiary second dial, calendar aperture, the hood of pagoda shape, f