Boerhaave Museum Top Collection: all rooms
	Room 3: The Golden Age
	Showcase V20: Christiaan Huygens
	Hague clock (Pendulum clock)

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Hague clock (Pendulum clock)

object id (inventary #): V09853
dimensions: w 29 cm h: 22,5 cm d: 8 cm
signature: Salomon Coster Haghe. 1657
period: 1650
gerelateerde namen: Huygens, Christiaan (Designer)

EXTRA INFO

On June 16 1657 the Hague clock maker Salomon Coster was granted the sole right to make pendulum clocks after the invention of Christiaan Huygens for the next 21 years. He did not enjoy this privilege very long, because two years later he died. This spring driven clock by Coster is the oldest surviving pendulum clock in the world. It could be bought at Coster’s shop for 80 guilders.

The clock was designed to be hung on the wall: it has no feet, just two suspension rings. Its design is quite austere: an undecorated wooden case, veneered with ebony with an iron dial plate covered with black velvet and a gilt iron dial ring. Under the dial ring is a hinged cartouche that can be moved upwards to reveal a hole behind which is the pendulum.

The dial plate is hinged and can be opened to reveal the movement of the clock, and the small pendulum with its brass bob. The clock is spring driven and has to be wound up once a day.

Hans Hooijmaijers, Telling Time, Devices for Time Measurement in the Museum Boerhaave, Leiden 2005, p.14

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