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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 971 - 980) 1032 items
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Calendar Clock - Victorian Parliament, Ithaca Clock Co, circa 1880
Calendar clock, Ithaca Clock Co, Ithaca, New York, circa 1880. Used in the Victorian Parliament. Two dials; upper shows time and lower is the calendar.
From: Ithaca, United States Images: 0 -
Photograph - H.V. McKay Massey Harris, Farm Equipment Manufacture & Field Trials, Sunshine ...
Photograph is located in an album: Volume No. 4: 'Headers & Binders: 1929-1945', page 201. This is one of 25 albums that provide detailed visual documentation of the activities of the M ...
From: Sunshine, Australia Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Stop Watch - Stoptime, circa 1920
Stopwatch, circular silver, used by Commonwealth Serum Laboratories (CSL) Limited, Parkville, Victoria.
From: Parkville, Australia Images: 0 -
Negative - State Electricity Commission, Benalla, Victoria, Dec 1952
Part of a large photographic collection of glass plate and film negatives, photographic prints and photo albums, relating to the development of the electric power supply industry in Vic ...
From: Benalla, Australia Images: 1 -
Photograph - H.V. McKay Pty Ltd, Farm Equipment Manufacture & Field Trials, Sunshine, Vict ...
Photograph is located in an album: Volume No. 4: 'Headers & Binders: 1929-1945', page 201. This is one of 25 albums that provide detailed visual documentation of the activities of the M ...
From: Sunshine, Australia Images: 1 -
Pocket Watch Movement - John Gaskin, Dublin
Gents pocket watch movement, John Gaskin, Dublin, no 2931.
From: Dublin, Ireland Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Longcase Clock - John Hamilton, Glasgow, circa 1783
Longcase clock, made by John Hamilton, Glasgow, circa 1783.
From: Glasgow, United Kingdom Images: 0 -
Clock Movement - United States of America
Striking clock movement mounted on a white wooden display stand. Made in United States of America.
Images: 1 -
No Image Available
Calendar Clock - Victorian Parliament, Ithaca Clock Co, circa 1880
Calendar clock, Ithaca Clock Co, Ithaca, New York, circa 1880. Used in the Victorian Parliament. Two dials; upper shows time and lower is the calendar.
From: Ithaca, United States Images: 0
