Clocks with exotic or unconventional mechanisms and displays have always exercised a fascination. 'Novelty' clocks tend to be of two types. Those whose actual mechanism or movement is a novelty, and those which feature a novel dial or other way of displaying the time. Most novelty clocks are a curiosity; they rarely aspire to precision time keeping but rather provide entertainment or an amusing visual distraction.
The selection of Novelty Clocks from the Heritage Services Collection shown here include both types. The rolling ball clock by Congreve is an example of a novel mechanism, while the novelty of the Frodsham turtle clock consists in its unusual water filled dial with floating turtle, since the actual movement is conventional.
Click on the images below to see a larger version
Floating turtle clock by Frodsham, London
This 'floating turtle' clock was made by Frodsham of London, who were a very successful firm of watch, clock and chronometer makers in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The movement is a standard timepiece with platform lever escapement, mounted under the lid of the case. However, the hour wheel is fitted with a large horseshoe magnet which controls the position of the turtle through an iron pin under its two front feet. The turtle records hours only.
The turtle, made of tortoiseshell and attached to a piece of cork, floats in a pewter dish. The mahogany case has elaborate brass mounts and feet.
This type of novelty clock has been made since the sixteenth century, but the inconvenience of the horizontal dial limited its appeal.
Accession No. 1992.136
Replica of 'Rolling Ball' clock by Congreve
A replica weight driven rolling ball clock made to the original design of William Congreve by Colin Walton. Original clock 1808. Replica 1986.
From 1808 to 1823, William Congreve was Comptroller of the Woolwich Laboratory having begun his career as an artillery officer. He was the inventor of military rockets used in the Napoleonic wars and also a number of ingenious “skeleton” clocks like the rolling ball example featured here.
The movement is driven by a small cannon ball shaped weight and in order to reduce friction, three dials for hours, minutes and seconds are used. The tilting plate is the escapement mechanism and is tripped every 30 seconds by the rolling ball. Although fascinating to watch, this is not a serious timekeeper. The ball picks up dust and dirt as it runs along the grooves, which seriously affects the regularity of its motion.
The clock is a display of mechanical ingenuity and is a decorative feature in its own right. The original clock was crowned with the Prince of Wales’ feathers but this example has the head of St Edmunds and the guardian wolf, the symbol of St Edmundsbury.
Presented to the Prince Regent (later King George IV) in 1808, the original rolling ball clock now stands in the Officers’ Mess at the Woolwich Arsenal. The Regent had a mania for collecting ‘objets d’art’ and while he did not show the same interest in horology as his father and younger brother (the Duke of Sussex) he managed to acquire several clocks and watches by the most famous makers of his day. It is perhaps fortunate that Congreve presented his clock as George was a poor settler of accounts.
A German gilt metal rectangular tinder box alarm clock, c.1750, by Johann Maurer
Made by Johann Maurer, Berlin, c.1750. A maker by this name is recorded as working in Berlin in 1780 but this may be a later Maurer.
The going train is a fusee driven with verge escapement while the strike and alarm trains have going barrels and rack striking. When the alarm train is activated the bell is continuously struck and the flint lock mechanism fires and lights the wick of a candle lying horizontally in the tray. After a few seconds the bell ceases to be struck and the candle holder is released, turning through 90 degrees to the vertical position.
The movement has a pierced and engraved balance cock and baluster type pillars. The case stands on four elaborately turned feet, but the gilt metal fretwork around the sides is missing. The dial, with silvered chapter and alarm rings has scroll engraving to the corners.
The horizontal dial clock is not the most convenient time measurement instrument as it can only be seen when it is near at hand. This example can best be described as a novelty alarm clock for the bedroom. The owners would be woken by the alarm bell and the candle would be automatically ignited. Useful on winter mornings.
