Post your Dutch wall clocks here

[antiekeradio]

Please post all your Dutch wall clocks in this thread.

"Dutch wall clocks" may refer to any of the following:

- Stoelklok (made in Friesland, Groningen, Twente or Achterhoek)
- Staartklok (Friesland)
- Zaanse Klok (made in the area of the Zaan river and Zaandam city, Zaanstreek)

and any special version or variation on the above, mostly from Friesland:
- Kortstaart (Staartklok with a 'short tail')
- Schippertje (shipper's clock)
- Notarisklok (notary clock)
- Burgemeestersklok (Major's clock; a Staartklok with an extended hood)

The thing all the above clocks have in common is the basic structure of the movement, bearing close resemblance to medieval Lantern Clocks.
They are driven by a single weight on a endless loop, runtime max. 30 hours.

Please note there are many postwar replica clocks with modern german movements. These I would like to exclude from this topic, if possible.

Other Dutch clocks like the Hague table clocks or the Amsterdam longcase clocks are quite different both from a historical/socio-economic perspective and a technical one, and may justify their own discussion threads.

A "clock map of the Netherlands" note that the numerical majority (80+%) of all clocks over the decades were made in Friesland. The others are much rarer:


To kick off I'm going to post a magnificent early Stoelklok from Groningen we recently repaired for a customer. It has been in their posession since the sixties, current owner bought it at 17 years of age!

 

[Steven Thornberry]

Please note that a link to this thread has been added to the sticky at the top of this forum, in the second post. This will make it easy to find. It should prove interesting and instructive to see what is out there.

 

[Ralph]

Here's a Stoelklok. I'm thinking early 1800's.

Ralph

 

[antiekeradio]

Groningen Stoelklok:

Dating, around 1725 - 1740
typically Groningen characteristics of the clock are:
- shape of the backboard decorations (this was before the mermaids came along!)
- shape of the pillars
- double top deck
- model of the lead frets on the side of the movement

Dial decoration is likely original. Case decoration possibly original. Movement certainly original, with one hand and a 24-tooth wheel for strike activation.

The weight is probably a bit heavy for this clock, as the pendulum wasn't even at its most extreme point when photographed. Very lively indeed....
(after rebushing the bottom verge arbor bearing and depthing/equalising of the escapement action)







The following picture shows the dial top lead fret in detail. Interesting bit of information is that the depicted coat of arms is that of the City of Gouda (which is in the eastern part of south holland, near Utrecht)
Geographically it doesn't make any sense at all but I have seen a large fragment of an identical fret in the literature on one other clock.







I do like to shine up nice old movements

 

[Ralph]

These are the remains of a 17th century Zaanse Klok. It was made by Dirk Tyhusen (Tijhuisen,Tuhuisen). Morpurgo has him working 1700, but this clock is dated 1678.

Ralph

 

[antiekeradio]

Ralph, from what I can find in the literature this could be an original clock with correct dating. If the date is genuine it was made few years after the use of a pendulum became common in clocks.

Huygens (Huijgens) published his breakthrough finding in a piece titled Horologium Oscillatorium sive de motu pendulorum which was published in 1673.

What is striking to me is that the clock you have obviously carried 2 hands, (minute hand looks to be missing?) As you can see on the Groningen clock, the single hour hand was not uncommon even about 50 years later.

Do you have plans for this movement?
Early Zaandam clocks had quite simple backboards / wall brackets. Might be feasible to make a like reproduction so that you can enjoy the clock in running condition.


About the Stoelklok;

the wood carving of the backboard is highly unusual. I found a similar clock online, http://www.antiek-en-kunst.nl/nieuwbinnen.html
what they write about it:

Friese stoelklok Rinse Durks
This clock has all characteristics
of the Durks stoelklokken
moon dial and date
quarter striking
double top deck
Unique case with elaborate carving
comparable example on display at the Frisian museum

yours does not seem to have the 'special characteristics' but still the case is very alike.

 

[Ralph]

Regrettably, the Zaanse clock was bought at a chaotic auction by a friend of mine. I would almost bet more pieces to the clock were there. I was sick that weekend and could not attend.

I bought the clock from my friend , giving him a handsome profit.

I do need some examples of the back board/bracket for reference. My Seelink and Edwardes book have limited examples...

Thanks for the comments.

Ralph

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

Stoelkok, I would guess mid-19th century. Case decorations probably at least partially repainted. Dial may be original paint. Minute hand replaced. Alarm mechanism missing.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

I would like opinions on the age and authenticity of the Dutch Frisian Stoelklok pictured here. I'm not sure whether this clock would be considered an authentic but late Stoelklok or whether it is actually an even later reproduction.The parrot motif of the lead castings flanking the dial and the more slender movement pillars and posts on this clock I believe identify it as being from the late 19th or early 20th century.

The things that make me question its authenticity include, first, the brass-cased, lead weights. They definitely appear old, but they have been "antiqued" by hammering small dent marks all around them. Second, the sheet metal dial plate, movement top and bottom plates, and bell stand are quite smooth and the penetrations are perfectly formed. Finally, there are two phillips-head screws holding the back of the canopy to the backboard of the bracket. The heads are recessed and normally covered by the canvas top of the clock. They became visible because the canvas has lifted at the corners. Phillips screws were patented in 1933. This seems to mean either 1) the screws are replacements for or additions to the original fastening system, 2) these clocks continued to be manufactured in a traditional way into the 1930s, or 3) the clock is a later 20th century reproduction. All other screws appear old, and some of the lead ornaments are attached with square-cut nails.

The clock is missing the glazed side doors, sheet metal movement back, hour and alarm hand. The minute hand appears to be original.

Dimensions: 30 inches tall, 13 inches wide, 10 inches deep.

What do you think?

 

[gromit]

I am presently rebuilding what to me is a ve3ry old Dutch clo0ck. The owner would love to know more about its age (as would I!). I will attach photos of the movement and the painted dial. It is a wall clock and has the traditional enclosed pendulum behind a glass window with brass decoration. THe movement is clearly hand-made, using recovered brass (the designs from a previous use are clearly visible) and the gears are "square-cut". THe screws (very few) are not machine-made!



Any ideas? This is my first post.



Many thanks.

 

[JB]

That is a nice looking StaartKlok Gromit. I'm no expert but it's not the movement I expected to see. Typically it would have turned pillars but the Dutch can be quite thrifty so I don't know. How big is the case? If no one responds to your query I would contact the Koolens here in Southern Ontario. They would have some answers for you. You should be able to reach Cathy Koolen here: info@antiquedutchclocks.com

 

[JB]

I forgot about this thread. Here are the Dutch wall clocks I have.
A Kortstaart (c.1750), a Stoelklok(c.1730), and a Notarisklok(c.1810)

 

[JB]

One more Staartklok

 

[Just-in-time]

I am not sure of the age of this Staartklok.
I am a novice collector in South Africa, and it was waiting for me in a junk shop.
I will clean up the movement when I have some free time.
It is missing the main weight, which I understand is about 3500gr and the counter weight on the alarm chain.
The clock topper dolls or (popen) are also missing.
I am watching E Bay for replacements, my mom will be in the UK in April 2013 and she can bring them back home to SA.
Does anyone perhaps know the weight of the counter weight for the alarm, I may have to make one on the lathe if none turns up.
I have seen one or two posting for replacement from the Netherlands but they are very expensive.

Thanks

Mark

 

[Just-in-time]

I managed to clean the movement and find the missing parts, weights and Statues on Markplaats in Holland. It runs like a dream now. The only problem I have is that I had to make a new "back lighter" or Agterlichter from a blank for the strike .
I cannot seem to get the strike to work correctly. I am sure there must be a correct way to allign the cam and gears. Any ideas ?

 

[oxblood2]

Here are a few photos of a "Notary" that I purchased. It only had the door to the hood when I got it and had to rebuild the hood from scratch. It has a Groningen type strike.

 

[clockworkorange]

My Staartklok,sadly in storage till my move is complete.

 

[Just-in-time]

I just thought I would add since my last post, that I came across a book by Dr X Wouters and A.W.Sleutes. It is in Dutch, and it is titled "Vakkundige Reperasies aan Antieke Stoel en Startklokken". It was printed in 1977. The English title would be in english "Expert repairs to Antique Stoel and Staartclocks" The book appears to have never been translated in to English. Although it is in dutch it has a fair amount of diagrams and so I scanned the text and used google translate to get the idea of what was going on. .My Afrikaans helped a little too. Bought on E Bay for 15 pounds in the UK. Some pictures of the pages.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

I have posted about a Dutch Staart-schippertje clock in the Clocks-General Forum, here: https://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?111889-Dutch-Staart-schippertje-clock&p=852597#post852597

 

[JB]

Haven't been here in awhile. Be great to see some more Dutch clocks posted

 

[Burkhard Rasch]

here's mine.
Burkhard

 

[igoanatol]

Groningen Stoelklok:
Dating, around 1725 - 1740
View attachment 63322

Hi,
maybe it's your clock...
Brgds

Groningen Stoelklok:

Dating, around 1725 - 1740
typically Groningen characteristics of the clock are:
- shape of the backboard decorations (this was before the mermaids came along!)
- shape of the pillars
- double top deck
- model of the lead frets on the side of the movement

Dial decoration is likely original. Case decoration possibly original. Movement certainly original, with one hand and a 24-tooth wheel for strike activation.

The weight is probably a bit heavy for this clock, as the pendulum wasn't even at its most extreme point when photographed. Very lively indeed....
(after rebushing the bottom verge arbor bearing and depthing/equalising of the escapement action)

View attachment 63321

View attachment 63322

View attachment 63323

The following picture shows the dial top lead fret in detail. Interesting bit of information is that the depicted coat of arms is that of the City of Gouda (which is in the eastern part of south holland, near Utrecht)
Geographically it doesn't make any sense at all but I have seen a large fragment of an identical fret in the literature on one other clock.

View attachment 63324

View attachment 63325

View attachment 63326

I do like to shine up nice old movements

View attachment 63327

View attachment 63328

View attachment 63329

View attachment 63321 View attachment 63322 View attachment 63323 View attachment 63324 View attachment 63325 View attachment 63326 View attachment 63327 View attachment 63328 View attachment 63329

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

Please see this recent post about my new Staartklok:

Dutch Staartklok

 

[Malcolm Smuts]

I recently acquired this stoelklok, which is now working. I'm curious if there are any hints as to its date range or any other information about it. The mermaids on the side of the case are painted but not carved. There are what appear to be painted roses on the bottom side support of the stoel. The face, as show in the photograph, has a sea scene at the top and a picture of a brick house or building in the center of the dial, plus small flowers at the corners. The red medallion at the top has what appears to be a swan against a red field. I suspect the mechanism may have been cleaned and repaired, since I acquired the clock from the estate of a man in Connecticut who collected and repaired old Dutch clocks. The exterior looks a bit dingy. Is there an easy way to clean it or should I leave well enough alone? Sorry the photos aren't better-- I'm limited to my cell phone.

 

[digitalpan]

Hi everyone, hope you are all keeping well in these strange times.
Just yesterday I was given a large wooden wall clock that appeared to be Dutch, confirmed when I had a better look this morning. I've not had one of these in for repair before so have no first hand experience, but I think it's a Friesian tail clock, perhaps a notary clock? It's 48 ins high, about 12 ins wide for most of the body. The dial is thin painted metal, and much plainer than photos of others. The movement appears to have been worked on, there seem to be some "modifications" in the form of steel washers! It has an anchor escapement. On the back is a small label with the words "EIGENDOM W. RAUE" which google translate tells me means "Property of W. Raue". Above this are some words in Dutch (?) and the date 1987.
Can anyone point me in the direction of the possible age and origin of this clock? Or what features are important to age it correctly? It appears to be complete with all weights and three brass balls for finials - although most of the photos of other Dutch clocks I see are angels!
Any help would be much appreciated.
Ian

 

[P.Hageman]

Ian, your clock is a 19th century Dutch staartklok indeed. There are a few things which would call for a little repair/renovation. In front of the glass in the tail, normally there is a brass part. (see picture) These can still be bought here in the Netherlands. It seems as if the pillars of the movement are standing on thin steel rings. This is not original. Probably done to have the pillars better fastened to the bottomplate, but I would remove them and use if some small spacers underneath the bottomplate. The painting of the dial is very nice imho but not original. I think it depicts the zodiac. The writing on the paper can be translated as: "restored/repaired in the second halve of the year 1987".
Its a nice specimen of a Dutch staartklok made circa 1830. It a bit difficult to date because normally the way the dial is painted tells you something about the period in which the clock was made. But this painting is unique and probably not done when the clock was made. The fact the door has no pillars attached to it and the clock has ball finials, point towards an early date.

 

[digitalpan]

Thanks for your notes about my clock. I now see the zodiac signs round the arch, and I guess it is the 4 quarters of the moon in the corners of the dial.
Do you know the name of the brass part in front of the glass at the bottom of the case? On mine the size is 190mm high and 148mm wide. Do you know if this is a normal size?
Thanks for your help.
Ian

 

[oxblood2]

One of my Staartkloks with a totally painted case. This has automata of rocking ships. Need to replace the glass in the door.. this one also has the “seasons” in cast lead instead of pressed brass. This one didn’t have the chimneys and finials.

 

[oxblood2]

One of my oldest and rare Stoelklok. Thus one has a rack and snail strike for the Dutch strike. Also the automata has two pairs of matching soldiers and a pair on horseback. This is also one of the large one. It could be if the” Leeuwarder”type.
The two examples I’ve been able to find like this,were auction items that dated those to th 4th quarter of the 18th century.
This also has Twente type , flat cut mermaids tge mirror the ones and tge back board.

 

[gleber]

One of my oldest and rare Stoelklok. Thus one has a rack and snail strike for the Dutch strike. Also the automata has two pairs of matching soldiers and a pair on horseback. This is also one of the large one. It could be if the” Leeuwarder”type.
The two examples I’ve been able to find like this,were auction items that dated those to th 4th quarter of the 18th century.
This also has Twente type , flat cut mermaids tge mirror the ones and tge back board.

I hope to not derail this thread, but I have a keen interest in clock automata. Can you describe the driving mechanism used in your clock? I'm currently working on a rocking ship. I presume the soldiers are on a band of some sort? Do the have their own weight for power? Would you be kind enough to post a video of it in operation?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[oxblood2]

The clock is powered by one weight. A very heavy one, 10 lbs. 4.4 oz. The weight powers the time, strike and automata.
There is a vertical post inside the movement with a gear that turns the post. After the post goes through the top of double plates, there is another gear that lines up with a toothed plate the characters stand on. When striking this plate turns like a carousel the duration of each strike.
I can’t figure out how to add the video. Sorry

 

[P.Hageman]

19th century staartschippertje, circa 1850.

 

[Pat L.]

This is an old Stoelklok that was found on local Craigslist last week. Here in West Michigan there are a lot of people with Dutch ancestry. The seller told me that his parents emigrated from the Netherlands many years ago, bringing this clock with them to the USA. It's pretty dirty and dusty, but still works. It has two bells but the hammer head is broken-off (I have the broken part). It also has calendar function, alarm, and a moving moon disc.

Can anyone provide an estimate of when this clock may have been made. Thanks for your time and your comments.

 

[JB]

This is an old Stoelklok that was found on local Craigslist last week. Here in West Michigan there are a lot of people with Dutch ancestry. The seller told me that his parents emigrated from the Netherlands many years ago, bringing this clock with them to the USA. It's pretty dirty and dusty, but still works. It has two bells but the hammer head is broken-off (I have the broken part). It also has calendar function, alarm, and a moving moon disc.

Can anyone provide an estimate of when this clock may have been made. Thanks for your time and your comments.

Congrats on a fantastic find! I'm no expert but I think this is what they would call a Leewarder type Stoelklok. A double top plate and large robust movement. They also have sawn-out mermaids. The mermaids to my understanding symbolize the effluence of time. You can find a very similar clock on page 233 of Sellink's book. I like that the heavy metal brackets supporting the movement when laid flat are there. They also restrict the movement of the pendulum. If made in Friesland those were round as opposed to rectangular from other regions. The paint looks exceptionally good ..It could have been repainted ...maybe parts of it have.

I'll hazard a guess to say the clock dates to the later half of the 18th century. I say this because you find reference on page 230 of Sellink's book in which it describes that generally the pillars in the movement made before 1780 had two decorative rings after which they had three.

Surprised no one else has commented ..maybe my comments will garner some other thoughts.

 

[Pat L.]

Congrats on a fantastic find! I'm no expert but I think this is what they would call a Leewarder type Stoelklok. A double top plate and large robust movement. They also have sawn-out mermaids. The mermaids to my understanding symbolize the effluence of time. You can find a very similar clock on page 233 of Sellink's book. I like that the heavy metal brackets supporting the movement when laid flat are there. They also restrict the movement of the pendulum. If made in Friesland those were round as opposed to rectangular from other regions. The paint looks exceptionally good ..It could have been repainted ...maybe parts of it have.

I'll hazard a guess to say the clock dates to the later half of the 18th century. I say this because you find reference on page 230 of Sellink's book in which it describes that generally the pillars in the movement made before 1780 had two decorative rings after which they had three.

Surprised no one else has commented ..maybe my comments will garner some other thoughts.

Joe,
Thanks for your comments about the Stoelklok. My knowledge of Dutch clocks is very limited, so I have a lot of reading to do. I didn't realize that it may be a Leewarder type, and don't know about the heavy metal brackets that you mentioned, but will investigate and find out. The Sellink book was acquired last week and I will check out the pages that you recommended. Along with that book came another by Ernest Edwardes ("Dutch Clocks") and that will probably also contain some useful information.

Also, I appreciate your estimate of the age of this clock.

Thanks again, Pat L.

 

[JTD]

It is indeed a lovely clock. If you start researching, it may help to have the correct spelling: Leeuwarder stoelklok, not Leewarder.

I envy you, I wish it were mine!

JTD

 

[Pat L.]

It is indeed a lovely clock. If you start researching, it may help to have the correct spelling: Leeuwarder stoelklok, not Leewarder.

I envy you, I wish it were mine!

JTD

JTD,
Thanks for your comments about the Stoelklok. and I'll be more careful of the spelling next time.

 

[JB]

Joe,
Thanks for your comments about the Stoelklok. My knowledge of Dutch clocks is very limited, so I have a lot of reading to do. I didn't realize that it may be a Leewarder type, and don't know about the heavy metal brackets that you mentioned, but will investigate and find out. The Sellink book was acquired last week and I will check out the pages that you recommended. Along with that book came another by Ernest Edwardes ("Dutch Clocks") and that will probably also contain some useful information.

Also, I appreciate your estimate of the age of this clock.

Thanks again, Pat L.

Wow ..maybe you paid more for the the Sellink's book than the Stoelklok. I just bought two Staartkloks which had me reading as well. I do have a Stoelklok but I have to say your's is very nice.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

Hi,
maybe it's your clock...
Brgds


View attachment 490455

That's the kind of ceiling height you need for these clocks to run for a full day on a winding!

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

I recently posted about a new purchase in the New Acquisitions forum of what I think is a short-case Staartklok or Kortstaart. That post is here: https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/new-dutch-short-case-staartklok.179315/ This clock looks to be 19th century but oddly the moon dial and date wheel seem to be aluminum. It is a two-bell model, with Dutch or double striking. Here are a few pictures, many more can be found with the original post.

 

[zedric]

Jeremy - As I guess you are aware, until some time into the 20th century aluminium was far too expensive for use in clocks in hidden locations. IN the mid 1850s there was enough produced to use in jewlery, and it was very expensive. The electrolysis process which made it cheaper was invented in 1886, but the amount of electricity needed to smelt aluminium made it impractical for some time after.

So, assuming your clock is 19th century (I don't have the expertise to judge), then if these parts are made out of aluminium, then they are obviously newer replacements...

 

[Alex KVASHIN]

Good find.
I believe that aluminum is a replacement in 20th century. No justification for using this metal here. And all dial was repainted in that time I think. Clock are from 18th century, probably first half.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

A question is whether the clock originally had a rolling moon dial and calendar aperture, or whether those were cut into the older dial sheet at the time the aluminum parts were added. If it originally had a moon and calendar, I would think those original parts would have just been repainted if need be, rather than replaced. Cutting out the new parts would have been more expensive. The dial paint in the spandrels, hemispheres, and arch sure looks old to me.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

Just to update the above post, here is the clock with three carved wood finials obtained from the Netherlands. They're not new, but I don't know how old they are.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

I was poking around in the movement of the above short-case Staartklok when I discovered that the tail of the strike locking lever has the shape of a man's head. I've seen horse heads on these, but never a human form. Perhaps this would be a clue to the maker, date, or region.

 

[Jeremy Woodoff]

Please see my post about a 19th century stoelschippertje here: https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/dutch-stoelschippertje-little-skipper-stool-or-chair-clock.187383/

 

[otomatic]

I was just given two dutch clocks that I know nothiing about
there is no names on them that I can find
I had to open it up see what kind of movement it has

 

[JTD]

Your clock has a movement made by Franz Hermle & Sohn (Germany)) and is reproduction of earlier Dutch style.

The clock dates from the 1980s.

JTD

 

[Alphonsus7]

 

[dvdberg]

A medium-sized Zaanse clock for the tourist trade, ~1970's