Clock · Pendulum clock

Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657

Partially verified

This early pendulum clock is dated by the Science Museum Group Collection to between 1657 and 1659 and associated with Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens in The Hague. The rear view illustrates the brass movement assembly secured with pinned pillars to an inner plate or case structure lined with black velvet along its borders. A central pendulum hangs from a suspension flanked by curved cycloidal cheeks, extending downward past a lower cutout to end in a spherical bob. A spring latch or locking arm is mounted at the left edge.

Rear view of the movement and pendulum suspension of an early pendulum clock attributed to Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens — R. Plomp / Science Museum Group. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

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

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 Recorded Makers

The Science Museum Group Collection catalogs this object as "Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657." Institutional records list the production date as "1657-1659" and the place of manufacture as "The Hague".

The collection entry records the makers as "Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens". These details represent catalog records provided by the museum rather than verified engraved signatures on the exposed movement backplate.

Evidence for this section

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

Visible Movement and Suspension Features

Visual examination of the mechanism rear shows a "Rectangular brass backplate secured with pinned corner pillars". Mounted alongside the plate is a "Hinged brass catch or latch on the left edge of the plate".

A "Central pendulum rod suspended between curved cycloidal cheeks and terminating in a round spherical bob" extends downward through the assembly. The surrounding mounting framework displays a "Cutout in the lower mounting board accommodating the pendulum bob swing" and a "Backboard assembly bordered with dark velvet fabric".

Evidence for this section

“Rectangular brass backplate secured with pinned corner pillars”
“Hinged brass catch or latch on the left edge of the plate”
“Central pendulum rod suspended between curved cycloidal cheeks and terminating in a round spherical bob”
“Cutout in the lower mounting board accommodating the pendulum bob swing”
“Backboard assembly bordered with dark velvet fabric”

Documentation and Examination Limits

The visual evidence is restricted to the rear of the movement and the internal mounting board. Dial layout, chapter ring, hands, and case exterior are not visible in the supplied photographic record.

Specific internal gear train counts, escapement operation, and physical dimensions are not recorded in the source text. Whether any signatures exist on unseen surfaces is not documented in this source.

Evidence for this section

“Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657.”

Open research questions

What markings, inscriptions, or signatures are present on the dial or front plate?
What specific escapement mechanism is fitted between the brass plates?
What are the full external dimensions and case materials of this clock?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Early pendulum clock by Salomon Coster, c.1657
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens	“maker: Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens”
Date	1657-1659	“Made: 1657-1659”
Place of manufacture	The Hague	“in The Hague”

Visible details

Rectangular brass backplate secured with pinned corner pillars
Central pendulum rod suspended between curved cycloidal cheeks and terminating in a round spherical bob
Backboard assembly bordered with dark velvet fabric
Hinged brass catch or latch on the left edge of the plate
Cutout in the lower mounting board accommodating the pendulum bob swing

Research qualifications

Only the movement rear and inner case structure are shown; dial and case front are not visible in this image
Attribution to Salomon Coster and Christiaan Huygens is source-reported

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 e870c567f2

Terms in this record

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