Horology Collection

Harrisons First Chronometer
This photograph shows Harrisons first chronometer, developed between 1729 and 1735 in response to the British Government offer of a 20

Sciathericon for determining time
Sciathericon. Illustration entitled Sciathericon stellarum fixarum situm qualibet hora demonstrans, a device for showing time by reference to the fixed stars

The New Gloves, 1909 (oil on canvas)
658191 The New Gloves, 1909 (oil on canvas) by Schuster, Karl Maria (1871-1953); 99.6x75.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The New Gloves. Karl Maria Schuster (1871-1953). Oil on canvas

A Good Read, 1919 (oil on canvas)
658349 A Good Read, 1919 (oil on canvas) by Schuster, Karl Maria (1871-1953); 74.7x60 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: A Good Read. Karl Maria Schuster (1871-1953). Oil on canvas. Dated 1919

Design by William Henson and John Stringfellow
865058 Design by William Henson and John Stringfellow; (add.info.: Design by William Henson (1812-1888) and John Stringfellow (1779-1883), inventors from Somerset, England

Tower clock from St.Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, 1699
XAM68907 Tower clock from St.Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, 1699; Clock Museum, Vienna, Austria

The Russian Gold Medal of Merit, 1860. Creator: Unknown
The Russian Gold Medal of Merit, 1860. His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of Russia has conferred upon Mr. Charles Frodsham of the Strand, London

The New Houses of Parliament - the Great Clock at Westminster, 1857. Creator: Unknown
The New Houses of Parliament - the Great Clock at Westminster, 1857. Engraving from a photograph by Mr. Freeman De la Motte, showing the mechanism which powers the chimes of Big Ben

Ancient water clocks or clepsydrae. Copperplate engraving by Wilson Lowry after a drawing by John Farey from Abraham Rees Cyclopedia or Universal Dictionary of Arts, Sciences and Literature, Longman

Musical organ clock, late 18th century (ormolu & brass-mounted mahogany)
5890560 Musical organ clock, late 18th century (ormolu & brass-mounted mahogany) by German School, (18th century); 234x87x62 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Movement by Peter Bofenschen, Hanover)

The Night Blowing Cereus, 1800 (coloured engraving)
985827 The Night Blowing Cereus, 1800 (coloured engraving) by Reinagle, Philip (1749-1833) (attr. to); 57.5x46 (folio) cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Night Blowing Cereus)

Minute repeating full calendar keyless lever watch with moon phases in hunter case, c. 1900 (18k gold case)
5906700 Minute repeating full calendar keyless lever watch with moon phases in hunter case, c.1900 (18k gold case) by Pouldjian

A bronze clock, c. 1895 (bronze)
1195144 A bronze clock, c.1895 (bronze) by Horta, Victor (1861-1947); 45.7 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

Attic Room, 1940 (colour etching, drypoint)
991036 Attic Room, 1940 (colour etching, drypoint) by Icart, Louis (1888-1950); 36.2x42.1 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Attic Room. Louis Icart (1888-1950). Colour etching and drypoint

A close up view of the dial and movement of a Louis XVI ormolu
1764973 A close up view of the dial and movement of a Louis XVI ormolu and patinated bronze-mounted mahogany longcase regulator with year calendar and equation of time, c.1790 (ornolu)

George III ormolu-mounted ebonised striking and musical eight-day table clock of small
3610582 George III ormolu-mounted ebonised striking and musical eight-day table clock of small size, c.1765 (ormolu & ebonised wood case) by English School

Kneeling Girl with a Clock (bronze & ivory, chromed metal clock
985622 Kneeling Girl with a Clock (bronze & ivory, chromed metal clock, brown striated marble bas) by Preiss, Johann Philipp Ferdinand (1882-1943); 54.4 (height) cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

A triangular brass table clock with engraved floral decoration (brass)
985589 A triangular brass table clock with engraved floral decoration (brass) by Peche, Dagobert (1887-1923) (attr. to); 15.5 (height) cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

A wall clock by Margaret Gilmour (1860-1942), decorated in repousse with Celtic entrelac
991040 A wall clock by Margaret Gilmour (1860-1942), decorated in repousse with Celtic entrelac designs, (tin, turquoise) by Gilmour, Margaret (fl)

The Letter or The Fainting, (oil on canvas)
990382 The Letter or The Fainting, (oil on canvas) by Boilly, Louis Leopold (1761-1845); 45.5x38 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Letter or The Fainting; La Lettre or L Evanoussement)

A Fishermans Wife - Fifeshire Interior, (watercolour heightened with white)
651892 A Fishermans Wife - Fifeshire Interior, (watercolour heightened with white) by Blacklock, William Kay (1872-1922); 22.2x29.9 cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

The Saffron Cake, 1920 (oil on canvas)
827254 The Saffron Cake, 1920 (oil on canvas) by Forbes, Stanhope Alexander (1857-1947); 76.2x101.6 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Saffron Cake. Stanhope Alexander Forbes (1857-1947)

Striking pendule d officier, 1850-1899 (ormolu)
3725720 Striking pendule d officier, 1850-1899 (ormolu) by French School, (19th century); height: 18.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Retailed by Jump & Fils, Mount Street, London)

A Regency giant quarter striking eight day turn-table musical organ clock, c
5890562 A Regency giant quarter striking eight day turn-table musical organ clock, c.1820 (gilt-brass mounted mahogany) by English School

Watch of King Charles I (engraving)
1623519 Watch of King Charles I (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Watch of King Charles I. Illustration for The Illustrated London News, 31 January 1852)

A Relic of the Capture of Buda (engraving)
1624648 A Relic of the Capture of Buda (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Relic of the Capture of Buda)

Winding up the clock (engraving)
614221 Winding up the clock (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Winding up the clock, a view of Big Ben and the clock tower, Westminster Palace, London)

The sundial (chromolitho)
1094208 The sundial (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The sundial. French educational card)

Visit to a Clerkenwell watch factory (engraving)
582897 Visit to a Clerkenwell watch factory (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Visit to a Clerkenwell watch factory)

Diagram explaining Horology or Dyalling, from The Gentlemans Recreation
483372 Diagram explaining Horology or Dyalling, from The Gentlemans Recreation published by Richard Blome, 1686 (engraving) by English School

Decimal clock, c. 1798-1805 (pine, brass & enamel)
3259825 Decimal clock, c.1798-1805 (pine, brass & enamel) by Destigny, Pierre Daniel (1787-1855); height: 48.3 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge, UK; eFitzwilliam Museum; French

A Clock for an Eastern Prince (b / w photo)
1614982 A Clock for an Eastern Prince (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: A Clock for an Eastern Prince)

Clock constructed by Isaac Habrecht, Anno 1589 (engraving)
1607070 Clock constructed by Isaac Habrecht, Anno 1589 (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Clock constructed by Isaac Habrecht, Anno 1589)

Clock made of Boer Shells and Bullets (b / w photo)
1600939 Clock made of Boer Shells and Bullets (b/w photo) by English Photographer, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Clock made of Boer Shells and Bullets)

George III musical timepiece table clock, c. 1766 (ormolu
BAL1860 George III musical timepiece table clock, c.1766 (ormolu, silver & agate) (see also 829810) by Cox, James (c.1723-1800); 37.2x16.5x14 cm; Private Collection; English, out of copyright

A mantel clock, 1899 (mahogany, fruitwood, brass)
985594 A mantel clock, 1899 (mahogany, fruitwood, brass) by Olbrich, Joseph Maria (1867-1908); 50.7 (height) cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

A Cuban longcase clock (mahogany, brass and stained glass)
1194932 A Cuban longcase clock (mahogany, brass and stained glass) by Serrurier-Bovy, Gustave (1858-1910); 233x54.5x28.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Serrurier-Bovy)

Mantelpiece, France, (oil on canvas)
657244 Mantelpiece, France, (oil on canvas) by Nevinson, Christopher Richard Wynne (1889-1946); 60x44.5 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Mantelpiece, France)

The Guard Room, (oil on panel)
827357 The Guard Room, (oil on panel) by Ten Kate, Herman Frederick Carel (1822-91); 31.8x41.9 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Guard Room. Herman Frederick Carel Ten Kate (1822-1891)

Horology, Working Parts of the Clock at the Royal Exchange, London (engraving)
5219109 Horology, Working Parts of the Clock at the Royal Exchange, London (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Horology)

The Visitor, 1881 (oil on canvas)
827116 The Visitor, 1881 (oil on canvas) by Caraud, Joseph (1821-1905); 73.3x90.8 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: The Visitor. Joseph Caraud (1821-1905). Oil on canvas. Painted in 1881

Mechanism of a Charles II Thirty Hour Longcase Clock, c. 1680 (mixed media)
870172 Mechanism of a Charles II Thirty Hour Longcase Clock, c.1680 (mixed media) by Tompion, Thomas (1639-1713); Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Striking and Automaton Lion Clock, c. 1640 (gilt-brass & ebony)
automata, timekeeping, metal, animals, clocks, ornate, lion, striking, clock, horology, machines, animal, lions, machine, mechanical, automatons, automaton, rampant, 3587681

An Albin Muller (1871-1941) table clock, before 1904 (cast iron, bronze, enamel)
990952 An Albin Muller (1871-1941) table clock, before 1904 (cast iron, bronze, enamel) by Muller, Albin (1871-1941); 55.2 (height) cm; Private Collection; (add.info)

A Victorian two day marine chronometer with Hartnup balance, c
5858180 A Victorian two day marine chronometer with Hartnup balance, c.1870 (mounted in mahogany & brass) by Frodsham, Charles (1810-71); Private Collection; (add.info.: Charles Frodsham, London)

Reconstruction on da Vincis design for a stabiliser (wood & metal)
XOT366467 Reconstruction on da Vincis design for a stabiliser (wood & metal) by Vinci, Leonardo da (1452-1519) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Design from the Codex Madrid I, c.1493, fol)

Advertisement for Christopher Pinchbeck Astronomical and Musical Clocks (engraving)
611411 Advertisement for Christopher Pinchbeck Astronomical and Musical Clocks (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

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Horology, the art and science of timekeeping, has a rich history that spans centuries. From Harrison's First Chronometer to the Sciathericon for determining time, humans have always been fascinated by measuring and understanding the passage of time. In ancient times, water clocks or clepsydrae were used to mark the hours with their ingenious mechanism. These early inventions paved the way for more intricate timepieces like the Musical Organ Clock from the late 18th century. Crafted with ormolu and brass-mounted mahogany, it not only told time but also filled the air with melodious tunes. As technology advanced, horologists delved into new realms of innovation. The Night Blowing Cereus in 1800 was captured beautifully in a coloured engraving - a testament to both nature's beauty and man's desire to capture its essence through art. The evolution continued with remarkable creations like the Minute Repeating Full Calendar Keyless Lever Watch from around 1900. Encased in luxurious 18k gold, this exquisite piece featured moon phases and showcased masterful craftsmanship. Bronze clocks became popular during the late 19th century; one such example is a stunning bronze clock dating back to approximately 1895. Its intricate design speaks volumes about an era when aesthetics met functionality seamlessly. Artists found inspiration in horology as well. The Attic Room depicted in a vibrant colour etching transports us back to 1940s nostalgia where every tick-tock echoed within those four walls. A close-up view reveals Louis XVI ormolu dial and movement - an epitome of elegance fused with precision engineering. This masterpiece showcases how they are be elevated into an art form itself. Royalty too embraced these marvels; George III owned an ormolu-mounted ebonised striking and musical eight-day table clock that added opulence to his surroundings while keeping him punctual amidst regal affairs. Even sculptures paid homage to the significance of time.