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Horological GalleryThroughout 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 f loor 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 electric and radio controlled clocks.

The watches are displayed together in one case which

The Horological Collection at the British MuseumPart 2 – Accessing the Collection

Laura Turner

Figure 1. The Strasbourg carillon clock made by Isaac Habrecht, BM Reg. No. 1888,1201.100. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

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.

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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, including astrolabes and marine chronometers in Gallery 1 ‘Enlightenment’, and a corner devoted to the Ilbert Collection, with a few key pieces and some information about Ilbert’s life in Gallery 2 ‘Collecting the world’.

There will soon be a new horological exhibition within the members’ room entitled ‘Telling the Time in Light and Dark’ which will explore the relationship between horology and the Sun, Moon and stars. A selection of objects will demonstrate how sound, touch and illumination are used to read the time. The members’ room is open to British Museum members only. By becoming a member you can help to support the museum, whilst enjoying exclusive benefits including special events and unlimited free entry to exhibitions. Further details can be found on the website.5

Figure 2. The watch display in Gallery 39. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Figures 4a and 4b. Still shots from the animation showing how mechanical clocks work. The full animation can be seen in gallery 38. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Although we are unable to have the entire horological collection on display in the galleries, objects held in the reserve collection are available for study by appointment in our horological study room, alongside the horological library.

Horological Study RoomAfter the Museum acquired the Ilbert Collection in 1958 there was a need for a new space to store and study the now much larger collection. Thanks to the generosity of Sir Gilbert Edgar, a dedicated horological study room was set up and opened by Sir Edgar on Tuesday 9 July 1963.

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. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

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Figure 5. The Great Court inside the British Museum. © 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 can make an appointment to examine Museum objects 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 library, which has yet to be added to the online catalogue, and contains many significant books.

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

Figure 7. Horological Curators, Oliver Cooke, Laura Turner and Paul Buck in gallery 39. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

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Accessing the Collection

The GalleriesThe Museum is open every day except for 1 January and 24–26 December. The horological galleries are open from 10:00am until 5:30pm daily and from 10:00am until 8:30pm on Fridays. Entry is free. For more information about visiting the Museum see the ‘visiting’ section of the website or telephone the museum information desk.7

If you are planning a visit to the museum to see a specific item in the gallery we recommend you to contact us first to check it is on display. Items are occasionally removed for conservation, study or photography, and sometimes objects are on loan to other museums.

Lunchtime gallery talks are held occasionally, focusing on different areas of the collection. These are free and it is not necessary to book in advance. To find out about upcoming talks, visit the events section of the museum website.8

Study Room and Library AccessShould you wish to visit the horological study room to see part of the collection, or to access the horological library, you can email us at: horological@britishmuseum.org. The study room is open Tuesday to Friday throughout the year by appointment (closed August); photographic identification is required. ‘Introduction to horology’ talks are arranged as part of the Museum’s programme of events and can be booked by interested individuals via the website.

Online AccessAll the objects in the museum collection are listed on our database, which is accessible via a search engine in the ‘research area’ of our website.9 Each object has a description along with information such as maker, production date, dimensions, materials etc. and many records also have additional technical details and photographs. Each of the

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.

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makers also has a biographical entry on the database. These entries are currently being expanded and upgraded by our volunteers. The only objects not listed on the database are those that are on loan to the Museum.

The online collection search is a convenient way to see which objects the museum holds. It can be used as a research tool in its own right, or prior to making an appointment to visit the study room in order to pinpoint items you wish to examine more closely on your visit.

The Museum’s library is also searchable online through the ‘libraries and archive’ section of the website or via Copac.10

A list of the horological periodicals held at the Museum is also included at the end of this article. In addition, the Museum holds many non-horological journals which on occasion have horological articles, so if you are trying to track down a particular article from another journal we may be able to assist.

In November 2015 the Museum launched a new partnership with Google cultural institute.11 Over 5,000 objects can now be viewed online through the Cultural Institute platform from around the world. Indoor streetview filming has made it possible to take a virtual walk through the Museum, making the horological gallery accessible worldwide. Highlight items can be selected for more information. In addition, there are specially curated virtual exhibits, initially focusing on the Museum’s current special exhibitions. Hopefully this will inspire people to visit the Museum in person, as well as providing an opportunity for those who are unable to travel to the Museum to experience more of the collection. Also recently developed is the ‘Museum of the World’ microsite, which maps objects on to a timeline and makes links between different cultures and places.

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Appendix – Journals

List of Horological Periodicals held at the British Museum

Antiquarian Horology

Bulletin de l'Association nationale des collectionneurs et amateurs d'horlogerie ancienne et d'art

Clocks (including Antique Clocks and Clocks Magazine).

Chronométrophilia

Chronos – 2004 onwards.

Cog Counter's Journal – 2008 onwards

Horlogerie Ancienne: revue de l'Association française des amateurs d'horlogerie ancienne

Journal Suisse d'Horlogerie – 1977 onwards.

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.

* If you are interested in a particular volume or issue, please contact us before visiting to ensure we hold that copy.

ConclusionThe British Museum is first and foremost a public collection, and as such its goal is to ensure the collection is accessible and enjoyable to all, both in this country and across the world. The horological collection is a vast and varied resource and whether it be browsing the collection online, visiting the galleries, or coming to use the study room, the museum provides a unique facility for exploring the world of horology.

Contact DetailsMailing address:The British Museum,Great Russell Street,London,WC1B 3DG.Website: www.britishmuseum.orgMuseum Information desk: +44 (0)20 7323 8299 or information@britishmuseum.orgHorological Enquiries (and to book an appointment in the horological students room): horological@britishmuseum.org

Figure 9. Astronomical Compendium made by Johann Anton Lindon in 1596. BM Reg. No. 1857, 1116.1. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

Figure 10. An eighteenth century clockmaker's wheel cutting engine made by Knight. BM Reg. No. 1976, 0202.70. © The Trustees of the British Museum.

ENDNOTES

1. Habrecht’s Carillon clock, British Museum Registration Number: 1888,1201.1002. Cassiobury Park turret clock, British Museum Registration Number: 1964,0203.13. Lancashire Watch Company pocket watch, British Museum Registration Number: 2009,8047.14. 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 5/12/15.11. https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/collection/the- british-museum accessed 5/12/15.