|
The newly refurbished Clockmakers’ Museum |
|
The old….. |
|
...and the new! |
|
Anyone who was familiar with the old Clock Museum at Guildhall will be astonished by the change. After fourteen years of painstaking research, planning, acquisitions, and conservation, the Clockmakers’ Company Collection was re-launched in 2002.
Great care was been taken not to “dumb down”. The labels retain the scholarly descriptions much appreciated by horologists in the past. The objects are now however displayed in the highest quality modern showcases, so that they can not only be seen more clearly, but so that they tell the fascinating story of “the Clockmakers of London”.
This is a story which can be enjoyed by anybody who has a love of the past, an interest in social history or simply a fascination for fine craftsmanship. The objects vary from the most brilliant technical pieces (such as John Harrison’s world famous 5th Marine timekeeper), to the stunningly beautiful (such as Conyers Dunlop’s gold and enamel watch for Queen Charlotte), or to the downright fun (such as the early 19th century gas-powered clock by Pasquale Andervalt).
Where else could you see the oldest collection specifically of clocks and watches in the world displayed as it was in 1817 ?
Yet while the Clock Museum leads you through the story of clock and watch making in London from the late 16th century onwards, it is not simply backward-looking. The last showcase you see as you complete your tour, displays the best of British modern craftsmanship. This is a rolling exhibition of the work of 21st century “artist craftsmen” watch and clockmakers. It presently includes the stunning work of George Daniels, David Poole, Roger Smith, Ron Rose, Joanna Migdal and Mike Barber.
ENTRY IS FREE. Leave plenty of time for a visit: the museum may only consist only of one room, but it contains a great deal to enjoy.
Illustrations:
Top right: the “21st century” case, with the museum behind.
2. The Harrison case on the left contains “H5”, to the right is the work of Mudge, Arnold, Earnshaw and their contemporaries.
3. The Museum as it was in 1817
4. “The founding of the Clockmakers’ Company”: The Charter of 1631, together with contemporary clocks and watches.
5. Fun! Horological curiosities.
|
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
5 |