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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Pendulum wall clock

Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657

Partially verified

This early pendulum clock, dating to approximately 1657–1659 and reported as made in The Hague, is catalogued by the Science Museum Group under makers Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens. Housed in a dark rectangular ebonised case equipped with two top suspension rings, the instrument features an outer glazed hinged door and an inner hinged dial plate. Opening the inner plate exposes the brass mechanical movement, spring barrel, wheelwork, and a slender vertical pendulum with a small bob. A detached winding key accompanies the clock.

Three-quarter view of the Salomon Coster pendulum clock with open door revealing the movement, pendulum bob, and detached winding key
Three-quarter view of the Salomon Coster pendulum clock with open door revealing the movement, pendulum bob, and detached winding key — R. Plomp / Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Clock · Pendulum wall clock
Maker / attribution
Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens
Reference
co1031
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1657-1659
Country
The Hague

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Institutional Identity and Attribution

The Science Museum Group catalogues the object under the title 'Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657.' Institutional records date the manufacture to 1657–1659 and state that it was made in The Hague.

The makers are listed as Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens. Contextual explanations of Huygens's specific design input or broader historical developments in the Netherlands are not detailed in the provided museum record snippet.

Evidence for this section
  • “Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657.”
  • “Made: 1657-1659 in The Hague”
  • “maker: Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens”

Case Structure and Observed Arrangement

Direct visual inspection shows a dark ebonised rectangular wooden case fitted with two circular suspension rings mounted on top. The outer glazed front door is swung fully open to the left.

An inner dial plate is mounted on hinges and swung slightly forward, permitting a view into the interior mechanism from an angle. On the surface directly in front of the open front door rests a detached winding key.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dark ebonised rectangular wooden case with two circular suspension rings mounted on top.”
  • “Glazed outer front door swung fully open to the left.”
  • “Hinged inner dial plate opened slightly forward to reveal the brass movement cage, barrel, and gearing from the side.”
  • “Detached winding key resting on the surface in front of the open case door.”

Visible Mechanism and Inspection Limits

The open arrangement reveals a brass movement cage, spring barrel, and gearing seen from the side. Suspended behind the movement is a slender vertical pendulum terminating in a spherical bob near the base of the case.

Owing to the oblique viewing angle, any inscriptions, chapter rings, or markings on the dial face are not legible. Specific escapement design, cycloidal cheeks, or later mechanical alterations are not recorded in this source snippet.

Evidence for this section
  • “Hinged inner dial plate opened slightly forward to reveal the brass movement cage, barrel, and gearing from the side.”
  • “Slender vertical pendulum suspended behind the movement with a spherical bob near the base.”

Open research questions

  • What specific signatures, numerals, or inscriptions are present on the front of the hinged dial plate?
  • What escapement construction is employed within the movement, and are cycloidal cheeks present?
  • Does the museum's accession file provide information regarding provenance or historical alterations to the movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date Range1657-1659“Made: 1657-1659”
Place of OriginThe Hague“in The Hague”
Maker AttributionSalomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens“maker: Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens”

Visible details

  • Dark ebonised rectangular wooden case with two circular suspension rings mounted on top.
  • Glazed outer front door swung fully open to the left.
  • Hinged inner dial plate opened slightly forward to reveal the brass movement cage, barrel, and gearing from the side.
  • Slender vertical pendulum suspended behind the movement with a spherical bob near the base.
  • Detached winding key resting on the surface in front of the open case door.

Research qualifications

  • Dial face and inscriptions cannot be directly read from this angled perspective.
  • Movement escapement details and modifications are not detailed in the source snippet.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657. | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 40d3af82c1

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.