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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Calendar pocket watch

Pocket watch with embossed whaler scene

Partially verified

This silver pocket watch by Hermanus Huyslandt of Amsterdam, dated to approximately 1775, is characterized by its complex exterior housing. The timepiece features a silver dial signed with the maker's surname, 'Huysland'. The inner movement is engraved with the signature 'Hermans Huysland, Amsterdam'. The watch is contained within a silver case featuring embossed decoration depicting a whaler engaged in a hunt with three smaller boats and a whale, surrounded by a border of rococo-style ornament incorporating sea monsters. The watch is further protected by an outer case made of silver covered in green shagreen. While the internal dial and movement assembly survive in the museum collection, the documentation notes that the protective glass elements for the outer case are currently missing. This object is identified as a calendar watch and was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1897, forming part of their permanent holdings.

Silver pocket watch by Hermanus Huyslandt with a green shagreen outer case.
Silver pocket watch by Hermanus Huyslandt with a green shagreen outer case. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Pocket watch · Calendar pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hermanus Huyslandt
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-NM-10957
Source-reported date
ca. 1775
Source-reported place
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

Case and Exterior Decoration

The watch is housed in a silver case featuring highly detailed repoussé work. The primary decorative motif depicts a scene of a whale hunt, specifically a whaling ship accompanied by three smaller boats, capturing the moment of harpooning a whale. This central scene is framed by an ornate border that integrates stylized sea monsters within the decorative framework.

To provide additional protection, the silver case is enclosed within an outer case. This secondary housing is constructed from silver and finished with a covering of green shagreen, or ray skin.

Evidence for this section
  • “het geheel besloten in een gedreven zilveren kast, waarop de voorstelling van een walvisvaarder met drie sloepen een walvis harpoenerend gevat in een rand van Lodewijk XV ornament met zeemonsters.”
  • “De buitenkast is van zilver met groen roggenvel overtrokken.”
  • “Glazen van de buitenkast ontbreken.”

Dial and Movement Signatures

The dial of the watch is crafted from silver and features applied hour markers. The maker's name is rendered as 'Huysland' on the dial face. The movement, which is contained within the silver watch assembly, bears a more complete inscription.

Inside the watch, the movement is signed 'Hermans Huysland, Amsterdam'. This dual-signature arrangement identifies the maker as Hermanus Huyslandt, a watchmaker operating in Amsterdam during the final quarter of the 18th century.

Evidence for this section
  • “Zilveren horloge met zilveren wijzerplaat, gemerkt: Huysland.”
  • “Het werk van binnen gemerkt: Hermans Huysland, Amsterdam.”
  • “signatuur, uurwerk: ‘Herman. s. Huysland, Amsterdam’”

Provenance and Acquisition

The watch was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1897. It is catalogued under the object number BK-NM-10957. Since its acquisition, it has been categorized as a calendar watch and is identified within the museum's decorative arts collection.

The object is held in the public domain and is accessible for study as part of the permanent collection of the Rijksmuseum.

Evidence for this section
  • “Objectnummer BK-NM-10957”
  • “aankoop 1897”
  • “sieraad, zakhorloge, kalenderhorloge”

Open research questions

  • What specific calendar complications are present on the movement?
  • Are there hallmarks on the silver case that might corroborate the Amsterdam origin?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Pocket watch with embossed whaler scene
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerHermanus Huyslandt“Hermanus Huyslandt, Amsterdam”
Dateca. 1775“ca. 1775”
Dial SignatureHuysland“signatuur, wijzerplaat: ‘Huysland’”
Movement SignatureHermans Huysland, Amsterdam“Het werk van binnen gemerkt: Hermans Huysland, Amsterdam.”
Accession NumberBK-NM-10957“Objectnummer BK-NM-10957”
Acquisition Year1897“aankoop 1897”

Visible details

  • Silver dial with applied Roman numerals
  • Outer case surface displays green shagreen texture
  • Embossed central motif on rear case cover
  • Suspension bow attached to the outer casing

Research qualifications

  • Outer case glass is missing
  • Functional state of the calendar mechanism is not documented

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

Consulted source

Pocket watch with embossed depiction of a whaler

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 7cc93452dd

Terms in this record

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

Other calendar pocket watch records