Pendulum Wall Clock, American Style
You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.
Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item
When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.
- Pendulum - The pendulum was discovered around 1602 by Galileo Galilei, and was adopted for time keeping by the Dutch mathematician and natural philosopher, Christiaan Huygens, who excelled in astronomy, physics, and horology.
The pendulum comprises a metal rod usually of brass or steel with a metal disk, known as a bob, at the end. The movement of the pendulum is driven by weights or a spring, and as a pendulum swings in a regular arc, it was found accuracy could be controlled to within a few seconds a week.
Timekeeping can be adjusted by changing the height of the bob on the rod, making the pendulum either swing slower or faster.
The disadvantage of the pendulum was that changes in temperature also changed the length of the pendulum, interfering with the accuracy of the clock, and so in the 18th century two types of mercurial pendulums were invented which countered the movement in the steel rod.
The pendulum was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology until the invention of the quartz clock, regulated by a quartz crystal, in 1927.
This item has been included into following indexes:
Visually similar items
Antique French Le Roi a Paris wall clock in working order, with striking movement and enamel dial, 90 cm high approx.
A Vienna regulator clock, Last quarter, 19th century, the 'Alt Deutsch' style regulator with a finely shaped pediment with eagle crest and finials, the case with turned and fluted half pillars to a pagoda drop, having a Roman numeral chapter ring, minute m
A Viennese mahogany wall regulator clock, late 19th century, with maker's mark for Gustav Becker to dial, the architectural style case with a broken arch pediment, three urn finials, and an extended cornice above fluted pilasters with matching turned capit
Antique English long case clock, with an important Thomas Ogden Halifax movement circa 1750, possibly later oak case, has key (in office), pendulum and weights, approx 220 cm high