Galagan ancient clock

An English floor clock is in the collection of the Chernihiv Historical Museum named after V.V. Tarnovsky, which dates back to the first half of the 18th century. It was located in the Galagan estate in Sokyryntsy. The watch is unique and extremely rare in museum collections.

A similar type of watch (shape in the form of a tower, height from 1,8 to 2,4 м, ornament around the main dial, hour indicators, minutes, seconds) developed by the English watchmaker William Clement in 1670–1680. The clock has an anchor (anchor) descent (invention of Robert Hooke) based on pendulum swings. In addition to the arrow to indicate the hours, added minute hand, and later "seconds". A characteristic feature of floor clocks is the presence of a seconds or "royal" pendulum. These timing devices quickly gained popularity in Europe. Until the beginning of the 20th century. the pendulum clock was the world's most accurate timekeeping technology.

The clock from the museum collection has a main dial (hours are marked with Roman numerals, minutes - in Arabic) and three additional ones (with seconds, days of the month in Arabic numerals, regulation of the beating volume). There is an inscription on the dial indicating the days: “Wm Jordan / London (William Jordan, William Jourdain). William Jourdain (came from Normandy) - a famous London master, who began his career in the first half of the eighteenth century. The case of the watch is made of walnut veneer, ornamented with decorative columns, the capitals and base of which are made of brass, ornament around the large dial in rocaille style. The dial itself is made of brass. Total height of the clock 255 see.

By transfer, watch, after it was transported to Sokyryntsi, it was collected by the Kyiv master Maslovskyi. It was in the Galagan estate until the beginning of the 20th century.

The collection of the Chernihiv State Museum was received by 1953 year (No. I-5401). Restored in 1996 year by museum restorers.

Maxim the Blue