Table Clock
ca. 1600 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Since sheet brass was easy to engrave, it was ideal for making precision instruments such as sundials and clocks. France and Germany were leading producers from 1600 onwards. Clocks were prestigious objects. This example is beautifully pierced and engraved with the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. With table clocks such as this the dial is placed on the top.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gilt brass |
| Brief description | Table Clock, sheet brass, engraved, pierced and gilt, Paris, ca.1600, signed 'B(?) Pichard, à Paris' |
| Physical description | Square-based table clock with pierced domed lid, the body of sheet brass, the movement of steel, engraved and gilt, the sides depicting the story of the Good Samaritan. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Signed 'B. Pichard à Paris' |
| Gallery label | Belinda Gentle Metalware Gallery (Room 116)
CLOCK
Sheet brass, engraved, pierced and gilded
France; about 1600
Signed ‘B(?) Pichart àParis’
Since sheet brass was easy to engrave, it was ideal for making precision instruments such as sundials and clocks. France and Germany were leading producers from 1600 onwards. Clocks were prestigious objects. This example is beautifully pierced and engraved with the biblical story of the Good Samaritan.
Bought in 1855 from the Bernal Collection
Museum no. 2375–1855(November 2004) |
| Object history | Bought by the Museum from the Bernal Collection in 1855. This was an enormous collection of metalwork, glass, ceramics and miniatures belonging to Ralph Bernal, a lawyer and MP. The sale by Christie, Manson and Woods took 32 days during which 4294 lots fetched nearly £71,000. The Museum bought 730 lots. |
| Historical context | Sheet brass is soft and easy to engrave. It was ideal for making precision instruments such as sundials and clocks. France and Germany were leading producers from 1600 onwards. Clocks were prestigious objects. This example is beautifully pierced and engraved with the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. |
| Production | Signed: 'B. Pichard à Paris' |
| Literary reference | Parable of the Good Samaritan; Gospel of Luke, chapter 10 verses 25–37. |
| Summary | Since sheet brass was easy to engrave, it was ideal for making precision instruments such as sundials and clocks. France and Germany were leading producers from 1600 onwards. Clocks were prestigious objects. This example is beautifully pierced and engraved with the biblical story of the Good Samaritan. With table clocks such as this the dial is placed on the top. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | 2375-1855 |
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| Record created | March 19, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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