The Clockmakers' Museum

After completing our tour of the Barbican Public Library, several of us decided to take lunch in the cafe on the 4th floor. Both hot dishes and cold items were available. Most seemed satisfied with their selections. The cafe is called a "pop-up" which we all presume means that it is a cafe were the food service is not a permanent part of the space. The space itself is full of natural light from the open ceiling - more skylight than actual ceiling. The cafe sits on what appears to be a balcony or overhang. You can look down over the railing into an indoor garden. We were all pleased to find a large table next to a fan and were fairly refreshed afterward.

Several of us decided to tour the Clockmakers' Museum which is located at the Guildhall Library on Aldermanbury. We had learned of the Guildhall from our tour at the Barbican.

The items on display comprise the Clockmakers’ Collection. The Collection is comprised almost exclusively of clocks and watches; it was begun in 1814 and is advertised as the oldest collection specifically of clocks and watches in the world. Also included in this collection are marine time pieces used in navigation. The collection is arranged chronologically and is housed in a single room off of the Guildhall Library. Several items on display are actively working. The items in the collection are inclusive of the period ca. 1600 to around 1850. The fact that so many items is a pleasant surprise, but as we discussed, because clocks were very expensive and individually made, they were, ultimately, "built to last." A large complement of watch keys are on display sporting exquisite work in small. Additionally there are many examples of personal time pieces that are the quietly graceful with intricate carving to fantastical bejeweled cases. Portraits of person's imminent to the Clockmaker's Guild are on view.

Open to the public since 1874, there is no charge for admission; however, no photographs are permitted. Particularly fascinating to me was the reproduction of a print from around 1600 depicting the hours of life including a poem and relating each stage to an animal. The style is one of my favorites.

Earlier in the day, some of us had been continuing a discussion the revival of "old" crafts and their value. This discussion was tangential to the debate on the need many librarians feel to justify their existence. We wondered if there was value in the continuation of traditions such as clockmaking and illumination. The general consensus seems to be that, yes, the continuation of these traditions are important for no other reason than that it is the continuation of human knowledge.

Images from the collection are available through the Bridgeman Art Library. Additional information regarding the Clockmakers' Museum, Guildhall Library or the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, please visit the site at www.clockmakers.org.