The Horological Collection at the British Museum Part 2 – Accessing the Collection Laura Turner

This is the second in a two-part series about the horological collection at the British Museum. The first part can be read in the March 2016 Horological Journal, pages 116–121.

Horological Gallery Throughout the Museum’s history there have been various horological displays, but it was not until 1976 that the Museum had a dedicated horological gallery. Some may remember Gallery 44 which, with its innovative presentation style of displaying movements working alongside their cases, was hailed as one of the best in the world. Nonetheless, after 30 years the exhibition was in need of updating, and thanks to the support of Sir Harry and Lady Djanogly, the current horological gallery was opened in 2008, in rooms 38 and 39 on the first floor at the front of the Museum. The entrance to the horological gallery is guarded by Habrecht’s impressive Carillon clock.1 Made in 1589 and still working, it never fails to attract a crowd of visitors on the hour when the automata move and the music plays. On entering the gallery, the first object the visitor sees is the large Cassiobury Park turret clock.2 This clock is running and provides a good introduction to the world of clocks and watches; the large, easily seen mechanism is accompanied by a short animation explaining how a clock works, breaking it down into five elements: Energy, Wheels, Escapement, Controller and Indicator. The gallery houses 89 watches and 105 clocks, and tells the story of horology from the beginning of mechanical timekeeping in the 13th century up to modern times. In addition to the objects belonging to the museum, we have some important pieces on loan from other institutions and private owners, among them the earliest object in the gallery, a chamber clock from Burgundy dating from c.1450. It is weight driven, but believed to have been an early example of a spring driven clock, which was later converted to weight drive. It is displayed alongside a model (made by former curator Beresford Hutchinson) showing how it may once have been. The clock is on loan from the Victoria & Albert Museum. The British Museum also has an extensive lending programme, and objects from the horological collection are often sent for special exhibitions at other museums. The gallery takes the visitor on a journey from the early iron wall clocks, through the highly decorative Renaissance period to the introduction of the pendulum, the development of domestic clocks and the quest for greater accuracy, the development of timekeeping at sea, and the advent of mass production, right up to developments of the modern age, with Figure 1. The Strasbourg carillon clock made by Isaac Habrecht, BM electric and radio controlled clocks. Reg. No. 1888,1201.100. © The Trustees of the British Museum. The watches are displayed together in one case which

154 HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL April 2016 Figure 3. A wooden-wheeled clock from Davos in Switzerland. Currently on display in gallery 39 as part of the temporary exhibit ‘Wooden Clocks of the World’. BM Reg. No. 1972,0404.1. Figure 2. The watch display in Gallery 39. © The Trustees of the British Museum. © The Trustees of the British Museum. clearly charts their development in both style and technology from very early drum shaped watches hung round the neck through to modern wristwatches. Nearby, is a second animation explaining how a watch works, situated above a working example of a similar pocket watch made by the Lancashire Watch Company.3 Both the clocks and watch animations can also be found on the museum website.4 Some of the clocks and watches in the gallery have their movements displayed separately alongside their cases so that the mechanisms can be examined and understood, and many of the clocks are running. The display cases are dustproof, but also soundproof, so they have been fitted with speakers to allow the clocks to be heard. The gentle ticking and occasional chiming and striking of bells and a cuckoo, add to the unique atmosphere of the horological galleries. The gallery has been curated to best illustrate the story of horology, so the display generally remains constant. However, one case is set aside for short-term special exhibitions relating to specific aspects of horology and gives the opportunity to introduce the public to various sections of the reserve collection. Themes explored so far have included the story of alarm clocks through the ages, a live experiment testing the potential use of bonded solid film lubricants as a way to prevent wear to clock pinions, and currently a display of wooden wheeled clocks from around the world. In addition to the dedicated galleries, there are horological pieces on display within many other galleries in the museum, Figures 4a and 4b. Still shots from the animation showing how including astrolabes and marine chronometers in Gallery 1 mechanical clocks work. The full animation can be seen in gallery 38. ‘Enlightenment’, and a corner devoted to the Ilbert Collection, © The Trustees of the British Museum. with a few key pieces and some information about Ilbert’s life in Gallery 2 ‘Collecting the world’. Although we are unable to have the entire horological There will soon be a new horological exhibition within the collection on display in the galleries, objects held in the members’ room entitled ‘Telling the Time in Light and Dark’ reserve collection are available for study by appointment in which will explore the relationship between horology and the our horological study room, alongside the horological library. Sun, Moon and stars. A selection of objects will demonstrate how sound, touch and illumination are used to read the time. Horological Study Room The members’ room is open to British Museum members After the Museum acquired the Ilbert Collection in 1958 only. By becoming a member you can help to support the there was a need for a new space to store and study the museum, whilst enjoying exclusive benefits including special now much larger collection. Thanks to the generosity of Sir events and unlimited free entry to exhibitions. Further details Gilbert Edgar, a dedicated horological study room was set up can be found on the website.5 and opened by Sir Edgar on Tuesday 9 July 1963.

April 2016 HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL 155 Figure 6. A group of Architectural Association students drawing clocks in the study room. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Situated in the east wing of the Museum, the study room has large tables providing plenty of space for studying objects or books. The walls are lined with longcase clocks and display cabinets full of watches, clocks and scientific instruments, providing an inspiring and impressive environment for study and talks. The room is open Tuesday to Friday by appointment to interested members of the public. Individual visitors Figure 5. The Great Court inside the British Museum. © The Trustees can make an appointment to examine Museum objects of the British Museum. more closely, either from the gallery displays or the reserve collection, or to research the background of their own clock or watch. The room also serves as a venue for talks by the curators. Regular topics include introductions to clocks and watches or scientific instruments and recently we have, on request, had talks on more specialised topics such as Abraham Louis Breguet and wooden wheeled clocks. A wide range of visitors are welcomed, from complete novices to experts. Indeed, you do not need to have any knowledge of horology to enjoy a visit. We have a group of architectural association students come each year to spend a day drawing the clocks, and we have had groups of literary students visit to gain inspiration for their writing. This year we have also had a production team visit researching clocks for an opera.6 The horological study room also houses the Museum’s horological library. The library was opened alongside the study room in 1963 after Michael Inchbald (nephew of Courtenay Adrian Ilbert) funded the purchase of a small library of books. We now have an ever growing collection of monographs, exhibition and auction catalogues, journals and other publications, which have recently been re-catalogued and reorganised to enable this resource to be digitally searched. There is also the John Leopold Bequest Figure 7. Horological Curators, Oliver Cooke, Laura Turner and Paul library, which has yet to be added to the online catalogue, and Buck in gallery 39. © The Trustees of the British Museum. contains many significant books.

156 HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL April 2016 Sams Note: Possibly try putting a background in // images need enhancing.

Figure 8. Three prototype ‘Jeff Arnold’ pocket watches made by Ingersoll showing different stages in design development. BM Reg. Nos. 1983,1012.132-134. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Accessing the Collection

The Galleries The Museum is open every day except for 1 January and makers also has a biographical entry on the database. These 24–26 December. The horological galleries are open from entries are currently being expanded and upgraded by our 10:00am until 5:30pm daily and from 10:00am until 8:30pm volunteers. The only objects not listed on the database are on Fridays. Entry is free. For more information about those that are on loan to the Museum. visiting the Museum see the ‘visiting’ section of the website The online collection search is a convenient way to see or telephone the museum information desk.7 which objects the museum holds. It can be used as a research If you are planning a visit to the museum to see a specific tool in its own right, or prior to making an appointment item in the gallery we recommend you to contact us first to visit the study room in order to pinpoint items you wish to check it is on display. Items are occasionally removed for to examine more closely on your visit. conservation, study or photography, and sometimes objects The Museum’s library is also searchable online through the are on loan to other museums. ‘libraries and archive’ section of the website or via Copac.10 Lunchtime gallery talks are held occasionally, focusing on A list of the horological periodicals held at the Museum is also different areas of the collection. These are free and it is not included at the end of this article. In addition, the Museum necessary to book in advance. To find out about upcoming holds many non-horological journals which on occasion talks, visit the events section of the museum website.8 have horological articles, so if you are trying to track down a particular article from another journal we may be able Study Room and Library Access to assist. Should you wish to visit the horological study room to see In November 2015 the Museum launched a new partnership part of the collection, or to access the horological library, with Google cultural institute.11 Over 5,000 objects can now you can email us at: [email protected]. be viewed online through the Cultural Institute platform The study room is open Tuesday to Friday throughout the year from around the world. Indoor streetview filming has made by appointment (closed August); photographic identification it possible to take a virtual walk through the Museum, making is required. ‘Introduction to horology’ talks are arranged as the horological gallery accessible worldwide. Highlight items part of the Museum’s programme of events and can be booked can be selected for more information. In addition, there by interested individuals via the website. are specially curated virtual exhibits, initially focusing on the Museum’s current special exhibitions. Hopefully this Online Access will inspire people to visit the Museum in person, as well All the objects in the museum collection are listed on our as providing an opportunity for those who are unable to travel database, which is accessible via a search engine in the to the Museum to experience more of the collection. Also ‘research area’ of our website.9 Each object has a description recently developed is the ‘Museum of the World’ microsite, along with information such as maker, production date, which maps objects on to a timeline and makes links between dimensions, materials etc. and many records also have different cultures and places. additional technical details and photographs. Each of the

April 2016 HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL 157 Conclusion The British Museum is first and foremost a public collection, Appendix – Journals and as such its goal is to ensure the collection is accessible and enjoyable to all, both in this country and across the List of Horological Periodicals held at the world. The horological collection is a vast and varied resource British Museum and whether it be browsing the collection online, visiting the galleries, or coming to use the study room, the museum Antiquarian Horology provides a unique facility for exploring the world of horology. Bulletin de l'Association nationale des collectionneurs et Contact Details amateurs d'horlogerie ancienne et d'art Mailing address: Clocks (including Antique Clocks and Clocks Magazine). The British Museum, Great Russell Street, Chronométrophilia London, Chronos – 2004 onwards. WC1B 3DG. Cog Counter's Journal – 2008 onwards Website: www.britishmuseum.org Museum Information desk: +44 (0)20 7323 8299 or Horlogerie Ancienne: revue de l'Association française des [email protected] amateurs d'horlogerie ancienne Horological Enquiries (and to book an appointment in the Journal Suisse d'Horlogerie – 1977 onwards. horological students room): [email protected] Klassik Uhren (including Alte Uhren: Zeitmessgerate, wissenschaftliche Instrumente und Automaten/Alte Uhren und moderne Zeitmessung/Urhen). La Voce di Hora: pubblicazione dell'Associazione Italiana Cultori di Orologeria Antica. Radio Time The Horological Journal The Practical Watch and Clockmaker/The Watch and Clockmaker Timecraft: Clocks and Watches Watch and Clock Bulletin: Journal of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (including NAWCC bulletin). Vol.26 onwards.

Figure 9. Astronomical Compendium made by Johann Anton Lindon in * If you are interested in a particular volume or issue, please 1596. BM Reg. No. 1857, 1116.1. © The Trustees of the British Museum. contact us before visiting to ensure we hold that copy.

ENDNOTES

1. Habrecht’s Carillon clock, British Museum Registration Number: 1888,1201.100 2. Cassiobury Park turret clock, British Museum Registration Number: 1964,0203.1 3. Lancashire Watch Company pocket watch, British Museum Registration Number: 2009,8047.1 4. http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting/galleries/europe/ room_38-39_clocks_and_watches.aspx accessed 17/12/15. 5. http://www.britishmuseum.org/membership.aspx accessed 5/12/15. 6. ‘Clocks 1888: The Greener’ http://www.brollyproductions. com/#!home/c22j5 accessed 10/12/15. 7. http://www.britishmuseum.org/visiting.aspx accessed 5/12/15. 8. http://www.britishmuseum.org/whats_on/events_calendar/ gallery_talks.aspx accessed 5/12/15. 9. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/ search.aspx accessed 5/12/15. 10. http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/libraries_and_ archives.aspx accessed 5/12/15. Figure 10. An eighteenth century clockmaker's wheel cutting engine 11. https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/collection/the- made by Knight. BM Reg. No. 1976, 0202.70. © The Trustees of the british-museum accessed 5/12/15. British Museum.

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