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Horology Collection
Image: Regulator clock (1865)
Source: Museum Victoria
The museum holds a significant collection of over 600 clocks and watches, dating from the 17th century to the present. It includes classic works in the history of timekeeping: a 1630s German table clock, beautiful watches by preeminent 18th century British and French makers, and accurate astronomical regulators. There are items of local historical significance, such as the No.1 clock of the Victorian Railways, installed in 1858, and common items, such as domestic alarm clocks.
Incredibly, this diverse collection resulted predominantly from the passions and generosity of two men, neither of whom were employed by the museum. Like several other museum collections, the horology collection owes its existence and breadth to a partnership between the museum and independent collectors in the community. Collector John Askew began lending clocks and watches to the museum from 1920, and donated much of the collection in 1941. Watchmaker Joseph Lowy began to actively lend and donate items from the late 1940s, and was appointed an honorary curator from 1953 to his death in 1979.
From 1952 the horological collection was displayed in full in a new set of showcases in Barry Gallery at the old museum building in Swanston Street. Visitors to the museum could explore a clear explanation of the history of timekeeping, from sundials to the latest electronic watch. Although the emphasis was on technical developments, many of the clocks and watches in the collection are beautiful examples of the decorative arts.
The current emphasis is on acquiring watches and clocks that have a Victorian and Australian historical significance or association.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 31 - 40) 1032 items
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Alarm Clock - England, circa 1880
Alarm clock, England, late 19th century, in cylindrical padded case. Does not tell the time but is set for a selected period.
Images: 1 -
Mantel Clock - Antoine Redier, Paris, circa 1870s
Mantel calendar clock, ebonised rectangular wooden case, with 3 spaces for day, date and month, Made by Antoine Redier, Paris, circa 1870s. The clock originally belonged to Francis Hen ...
From: Paris, France Images: 3 -
Alarm Clock - Ansonia Clock Co, 'Bee', USA, circa 1900
Alarm clock, Ansonia 'Bee', Ansonia Clock Co, USA, circa 1900. A very early form of this type of simple, mass produced alarm clock.
From: New York, United States Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Free Pendulum Clock - William Shortt & Synchronome Co, London, No. 5, 1925
Impulse clock designed and built by William Hamilton Shortt, in association with the Synchronome Co, London, 1925 . About 100 Shortt impulse clocks were made and used in observatories ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Alarm Clock - Illuminating, France
Alarm clock with illuminating mechanism, France. As alarm rings a lever is released to strike a match and project it forward, opening door on right and illuminating dial.
Images: 2 -
No Image Available
Pocket Watch - Rolex, 1928
Rolex Swiss pocket watch, Extra Prima 17 jewel lever movement, with 18 carat gold hunter case made by Dennison Watch Case Co Ltd, Birmingham. Birmingham hallmark on case for 1928. Pres ...
From: Birmingham, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Pocket Watch - Switzerland, Late 19th Century
Gents pocket watch, silver hunter case, Switzerland, late 19th century.
Images: 2 -
Token - 1 Penny, W. Petersen, Christchurch, Watchmaker & Jeweller, Christchurch, New Zeala ...
New Zealand Christchurch W. Petersen Token Penny, c. 1858 Mint: Thomas Stokes, Melbourne Standard References: Andrews 437 = Heyde 207 = Lampard 338 Other Details: Petersen was a watch ...
From: Christchurch, New Zealand Images: 2
