Clock · Pillar clock (shaku dokei)

Japanese pillar clock (shaku dokei) and outer case

Partially verified

According to Bonhams, this mid-19th-century Japanese pillar clock (shaku dokei) features a plain vertical wooden body surmounted by a glazed hood that reveals a gilt brass movement. The movement incorporates a balance wheel escapement and a decorative front plate crafted in the form of a basket of flowers. Time is registered along an interchangeable, double-sided black lacquer vertical scale by a single pointer hand. The source notes that the hood is replaced and the pointer hand is later. The lot includes an outer wooden protective case with a movement viewing aperture and an auxiliary wooden case housing interchangeable scales.

Front view of the Japanese pillar clock (shaku dokei) shown with its outer case and container of interchangeable lacquer scales — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bonhams.com
Category: Clock · Pillar clock (shaku dokei)
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 369
Source-reported date: mid 19th century
Country: 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

Form and Construction

This Japanese pillar clock (shaku dokei) is described as being of characteristic form, measuring 39 cm (15.25 in) in height. It consists of a plain wooden body surmounted by a glazed upper hood and contains a key drawer housed within its base.

The clock is fitted into a protective outer wooden case measuring 43.5 cm (17 in) in height. The auction description notes that this outer case features a small aperture positioned on the right side through which the movement can be observed.

Evidence for this section

“Of characteristic form, the plain case surmounted by a glazed hood”
“the base containing a key drawer, all contained within an outer case with a small aperture to the right side, through which the movement can be observed”
“The clock 39cm (15.25in), the case 43.5cm (17in)”

Movement and Scale

Displayed beneath the glazed hood is a gilt brass movement equipped with a balance wheel escapement. The front plate of the mechanism is fashioned in the form of a basket of flowers.

Time is registered along an interchangeable, double-sided vertical scale of black lacquer, which is read by a single hand. The clock is accompanied by a separate small wooden case housing six of these interchangeable scale plates.

Evidence for this section

“displaying the gilt brass movement, with a balance wheel escapement and a front plate in the form of a basket of flowers”
“double sided interchangeable black lacquer vertical scale (one of six stored in a small wooden case), read by a single hand”

Condition and Documented Alterations

The auction cataloguing explicitly records two replaced or later elements: the glazed hood surmounting the case is noted as replaced, and the single indicating hand is catalogued as later.

No maker, workshop signatures, or serial marks are recorded in the auction source. The attribution to the mid-19th century and Japan reflects the cataloguer's lot description.

Evidence for this section

“the plain case surmounted by a glazed hood (replaced)”
“read by a single hand (later)”

Open research questions

Are any maker signatures, inscriptions, or regional stamps present on the movement plates, weights, or inside the wooden cases?
What wood species was used for the primary pillar clock case, the outer case, and the small scale container?
What specific Japanese seasonal calibrations or markings are present on the six double-sided lacquer scales?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Japanese pillar clock (shaku dokei) and outer case
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Front Plate Design	Basket of flowers	“a front plate in the form of a basket of flowers”
Escapement	Balance wheel escapement	“with a balance wheel escapement”
Clock Height	39 cm (15.25 in)	“The clock 39cm (15.25in)”
Outer Case Height	43.5 cm (17 in)	“the case 43.5cm (17in)”
Scale Details	Double-sided interchangeable black lacquer scale (one of six stored in a small wooden case)	“double sided interchangeable black lacquer vertical scale (one of six stored in a small wooden case)”
Base Feature	Key drawer	“the base containing a key drawer”
Outer Case Feature	Small aperture on right side for movement observation	“outer case with a small aperture to the right side, through which the movement can be observed”

Visible details

Vertical wooden pillar clock body displaying a vertical black scale with Japanese characters
Gilt brass movement with an ornate floral basket design visible beneath a glazed upper hood
Separate rectangular wooden container holding interchangeable black lacquer scale plates
Tall wooden outer case fitted with metal hinges
Single pointer hand mounted adjacent to the scale plate near the base

Research qualifications

Source notes the glazed hood is replaced
Source notes the single reading hand is later

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : A mid 19th century Japanese pillar clock (shaku dokei) and outer case

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record ddecaec08f

Terms in this record

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