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Rare Japanese Stick or Pillar Clock browse these categories for related items... All Items: Archives:Regional Art:Asian:Japanese: Pre 1900: item # 35682 Please refer to our stock # 9-060 when inquiring.
B & C Antiques P. O. Box 291 Derby, CT 06418 203-929-7312 Guest Book SOLD |
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| Japanese Pillar Clock in long, narrow zitan wood case. Ca.1860. The clock’s circular brass movement is mounted on top and encased in a removable glazed hood. The brass frontispiece is pierced and engraved with passion flowers, surrounded by four turned corner pillars. A brass bar, attached to the lead weight that drives the clock, has a flower-shaped pointer to indicate the appropriate “hour” as it slowly descends the length of the clock. It has a black lacquer scale (“nami-gata”) with gilded inscriptions for both Japanese and western time. Early Japanese clocks were based on the Chinese calendar and method of measuring time based on natural day and night. Zodiac symbols frequently appeared on Japanese timepieces, with each sign representing the mid-point of the “hour” to which it was assigned. With the introduction of European time to Japan on January 1, 1873, Japanese clockmakers adapted old scales on existing clocks to prevent obsolescence. On its left side, this scale shows Japanese numerals for western time, with equal hours commencing at twelve noon and following in graduated divisions through a full 24-hour period. The corresponding gilded zodiac symbols appear on the right side of the scale. For more information on these fascinating timepieces, see our article in Daruma 17. Condition is very good, and the works appear to be intact. The original key is missing, but we found a key (not shown in photos) that fits. Dimensions: 18 ½” long, 2 ¾” wide, 1 3/8” deep; hood is 2 3/4" deep. | |||||||||
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