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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 41 - 50) 1032 items
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Negative - Addressing Crows at Equal Pay Protest, Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria ...
Black and white negative depicting a woman at a lectern inside the Melbourne Town Hall protesting for equal pay for women on 20 February 1969. This image is one of approximately 85,000 ...
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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 -
No Image Available
Cuckoo Clock - A. Pleig, Germany
Cuckoo clock, carved foliage around case, made by A. Pleig, Germany.
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Alarm Clock - Dice Throwers, Junghans, Germany
Alarm clock with mechanised dice throwers on dial, made by Junghans, Wurtemberg, Germany.
Images: 5 -
Longcase Clock Movement - Henry Lepaute, Paris, circa 1850
Longcase clock movement, made by Henry Lepaute, Paris, circa 1850. 'Henry Lepaute' was the business name of Augustin Michel Henry.
From: Paris, France Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Automaton Clock - Austria
Automaton clock, Austria. Soldiers on either side of the dial strike imitation bells on hours and quarters. The pendulum consists of a warrior standing in a chariot drawn by two horse ...
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Regulator Clock - Riefler, Munich, 1910
Regulator clock with free pendulum, Sigmund Riefler, Munich, no. 289, 1910. Used by the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne.
From: Munich, Germany Images: 3 -
No Image Available
Wall Clock - Sessions Clock Co, 'Foyer', circa 1930
Round wooden framed wall clock, made by Sessions Clock Co, Connecticut, USA, circa 1930. 'Foyer' model. Used in main work area of Simpsons Gloves factory in Richmond, Victoria.
From: Richmond, Australia Images: 0 -
No Image Available
Wall Clock - Gustav Becker, circa 1880
Wall clock, wooden frame with metal ornaments and cherubs. Made by Gustav Becker, Germany, no. 77502, circa 1880.
From: Freiburg, Germany Images: 0
