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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Novelty watch

Posthorn-shaped Watch

Partially verified

This novelty timepiece, catalogued as a posthorn-shaped watch, is constructed from rock crystal and gilt silver, accented with rubies and enamel. The watch movement is mounted directly onto the flared mouth of a faceted rock crystal horn. The white enamel dial is surrounded by a decorative bezel set with rubies. A silver chain attached to the horn and the mouthpiece allows the object to be suspended, functioning as both a decorative accessory and a watch. Attributed to an anonymous maker active in Central Europe between 1825 and 1850, the piece combines horological function with lapidary and goldsmithing techniques. It was acquired by the Rijksmuseum in 1937 as part of the Maurits Elzas collection, following previous ownership by J.G. de Groot Jamin. The design repurposes the posthorn form, with the crystal body forming the primary structural housing for the watch mechanism integrated at the wider end.

Side view of the posthorn-shaped watch, showing the rock crystal body, the ruby-set dial bezel, and the silver suspension chain.
Side view of the posthorn-shaped watch, showing the rock crystal body, the ruby-set dial bezel, and the silver suspension chain. — Rijksmuseum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.rijksmuseum.nl
Category
Pocket watch · Novelty watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
BK-15050
Source-reported date
ca. 1825 - ca. 1850
Source-reported place
Central Europe (possibly)

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 Design

The object is designed in the shape of a posthorn, featuring a body carved from clear, facetted rock crystal. The watch mechanism is integrated into the wider, mouth-end of the horn, held within a gilt silver casing. The visible dial is white enamel, and the surrounding bezel is set with rubies, providing a decorative border.

The assembly is completed by a silver chain and suspension ring, which are attached to the silver mounts at the mouthpiece and the narrow end of the crystal horn. This configuration allows the watch to be hung vertically.

The materials identified are bergkristal (rock crystal), verguld zilver (gilt silver), rubijnen (rubies), and email (enamel).

Evidence for this section
  • “Horloge gemonteerd op de monding van een kristallen posthoorn.”
  • “Om de wit geëmailleerde wijzerplaat zit een ring met robijnen.”

Origin and Attribution

The watch is attributed to an anonymous maker who may have been active in Central Europe. The source indicates that the specific horological workshop and the silversmith responsible for the metal mounts remain unidentified. The dating of the piece is estimated to a range between 1825 and 1850.

The attribution to Central Europe is framed as a possibility rather than a verified fact by the source documentation. There are no maker's marks or signatures recorded on the object or in the historical documentation provided by the museum, which leads to its continued listing as anonymous.

Evidence for this section
  • “uurwerkmaker: anoniem, Midden-Europa (mogelijk)”
  • “edelsmid: anoniem, Midden-Europa (mogelijk)”

Provenance and Acquisition

The watch was previously held in the collection of J.G. de Groot Jamin (1842-1920) before it was included in an auction held by F. Muller in Amsterdam in December 1922. At this auction, it was purchased by Maurits Elzas (1868-1937), a collector based in Arnhem.

The item remained in the Maurits Elzas collection until 1937, when it was bequeathed to the Rijksmuseum as part of a larger donation of over 100 watches. This acquisition process is documented in museum records under the accession number BK-15050.

Evidence for this section
  • “sale, collection J.G. de Groot Jamin (1842-1920) et al.”
  • “legaat 1937”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific type of movement housed within the gilt silver mount?
  • Are there any hidden stamps or marks on the interior of the silver mounts that identify the regional origin?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Posthorn-shaped Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Object numberBK-15050“BK-15050”
Materialsrock crystal, gilt silver, rubies, enamel“bergkristal, verguld zilver, robijnen en email”
Datecirca 1825-1850“ca. 1825 - ca. 1850”
Makeranonymous“uurwerkmaker: anoniem”
ProvenanceMaurits Elzas collection“Collectie Maurits Elzas, Arnhem”
AcquisitionBequeathed to the museum in 1937“legaat 1937”
MountingWatch mounted on the mouth of a crystal posthorn“Horloge gemonteerd op de monding van een kristallen posthoorn.”

Visible details

  • Facetted rock crystal body
  • Gilt silver mounts
  • Ruby-set bezel surrounding the white enamel dial
  • Suspension chain with ring

Research qualifications

  • Maker and silversmith are both recorded as anonymous
  • Country of manufacture is noted as a possibility only

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

Consulted source

Posthorn-shaped Watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 273875f46e

Terms in this record

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