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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Table clock · Allemagne

Striking table clock

Verified

Inscription beneath the dial: “VIGILATE ET ORATE” (“Watch and pray”).

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH IV-47
Object type
Table clock
Place of production
Allemagne
Dating
1576
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
Laiton, fer
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions: 195 x 100 x 100 mm; poids: 1441.000 g
Inscriptions (catalogue)
VIGELATE ET ORATE (Sous le cadran); 1576 (Sous le cadran)

Historical significance

  • Inscription beneath the dial: “VIGILATE ET ORATE” (“Watch and pray”).
  • The date 1576 is concealed within the Latin inscription.
  • The gilt brass case is engraved with three scenes inspired by the story of David. A cross-shaped support surmounted by a statuette of Cupid, holding his bow and quiver, supports the bell.
  • The hour dial, fitted with a blued steel hand, features a double numbering in Roman and Arabic numerals.
  • The movement (later converted to a pendulum) is very incomplete; it is fitted with an anchor escapement.

Photographs

Striking table clock (MIH IV-47)
Striking table clock (MIH IV-47) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Striking table clock (MIH IV-47)
Striking table clock (MIH IV-47) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Striking table clock (MIH IV-47)
Striking table clock (MIH IV-47) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. IV-47: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/37268/

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.