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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Wall clock

IN ON TIME 4 Wall Clock

Partially verified

The 'IN ON TIME 4' wall clock, accessioned as FE.18-1995 at the Victoria and Albert Museum, is a ceramic timepiece created by Japanese artist Matsumoto Hideo in 1994. The object features a square porcelain panel measuring 35.3 cm in width and 35.6 cm in height, with a depth of 4.0 cm. It incorporates small, hand-modelled curved and circular porcelain components attached to each of the four corners of the main slab-built panel. The surface is decorated with abstract patterns rendered in purplish-blue ceramic pigments and oxides, protected by a transparent lime-fluxed glaze. The clock is powered by an electric battery-operated movement, with hour, minute, and second hands fabricated from brass. The construction involved oxidation firing in an electric kiln at 1240 degrees centigrade, and the reverse side bears an impressed maker's mark.

Front view of the 'IN ON TIME 4' wall clock, highlighting the square porcelain panel, hand-modelled corner elements, and brass hands.
Front view of the 'IN ON TIME 4' wall clock, highlighting the square porcelain panel, hand-modelled corner elements, and brass hands. — Victoria and Albert Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Clock · Wall clock
Maker / attribution
Matsumoto, Hideo
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
FE.18-1995
Source-reported date
1994
Source-reported place
Japan

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

Construction and Materials

The body of the clock is constructed as a square panel of slab-built porcelain. Attached to each of the four corners of this main structure are distinct, hand-modelled components which appear as circular or curved projections. These additions contribute to the overall physical geometry of the piece, which measures approximately 35.3 by 35.6 centimeters.

The surface treatment of the porcelain includes abstract patterning applied using purplish blue ceramic pigments and oxides. The entire front face is finished with a transparent lime-fluxed glaze. The ceramic body underwent an oxidation firing process in an electric kiln, reaching a temperature of 1240 degrees centigrade.

Evidence for this section
  • “Slab-built porcelain with hand-modelled corner components”
  • “abstract patterning executed in purplish blue ceramic pigments and oxides”
  • “transparent lime-fluxed glaze on front”
  • “oxidation fired to 1240 degrees centigrade in an electric kiln”

Movement and Inscriptions

The horological functionality is provided by a battery-operated movement secured to the rear of the porcelain panel. This mechanism drives a set of three hands—hour, minute, and second—which are manufactured from brass and extend from the center of the clock face.

Identification of the piece is confirmed by the presence of a maker's mark impressed into the porcelain on the reverse side of the clock. This mark serves as the primary indication of attribution for the artist, Matsumoto Hideo.

Evidence for this section
  • “battery operated clock mechanism fixed behind”
  • “hour/minute/second hands of brass”
  • “Maker's mark impressed on reverse”

Provenance and Identification

The object is catalogued as 'IN ON TIME 4' and is recorded in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum under accession number FE.18-1995. The work was produced in Japan in 1994 by the artist Matsumoto Hideo (born 1951).

The current documentation notes the addition of a pair of black foam spacers, which were attached with adhesive to the lower part of the reverse side. The object was received by the museum as a gift from the Miharudo Gallery.

Evidence for this section
  • “'IN ON TIME 4' wall clock”
  • “Accession number: FE.18-1995”
  • “Given by Miharudo Gallery”
  • “pair of black foam spacers glued to lower part of reverse”

Open research questions

  • Are there other versions in the 'IN ON TIME' series with distinct aesthetic variations?
  • What is the specific manufacturer or model type of the battery-operated movement used within this clock?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for IN ON TIME 4 Wall Clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMatsumoto, Hideo“Matsumoto, Hideo (maker)”
MaterialPorcelain“Porcelain, painted and glazed”
Dimensions35.3 cm x 35.6 cm“Width: 35.3 cm; Height: 35.6 cm”
MechanismBattery-operated“battery operated clock mechanism fixed behind”
Firing temperature1240 degrees centigrade“oxidation fired to 1240 degrees centigrade in an electric kiln”
Maker's markImpressed on reverse“Maker's mark impressed on reverse”

Visible details

  • Square slab-built porcelain body
  • Abstract blue and white surface patterning
  • Brass hour, minute, and second hands
  • Curved ceramic elements at each corner

Research qualifications

  • Long-term reliability of the battery-operated movement
  • Integrity of the glued foam spacers on the reverse

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

Consulted source

IN ON TIME 4

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record e8d8e8c360

Terms in this record

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

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