Vallin Astrological Table Clock This superb miniature astrological gilt-and-silver dial drum table clock was made by Nicholas Vallin, one of the most famous immigrant clockmakers in London at the time. It is a marvel of multifunctionality: it tells the time, functions as annual calendar, and provides the user with solar, lunar and other kinds of astronomical and astrological data.[1] To deliver all these functions in such a diminutive package, Vallin scaled down the going train’s layout to fit within the clock’s tiny 71-mm diameter case, while making the gilt brass escape wheel for the un-sprung verge escapement as large as possible to enhance the timepiece’s accuracy. The execution of these complications and the beauty of the design are testament to Vallin’s skill and artistry as a maker. The earliest astronomical clocks appeared in Europe during the 1300s.[2] These were weight-driven, monumental mechanisms, constructed for mass viewing and typically integrated into the architecture of churches and town halls. As described by Peter Plassmeyer in his chapter ‘Scientific instruments as courtly objects’, these early clocks could feature multiple dials, chimes and calendars, as well as a range of animated creatures, such as ‘roosters crowing the hours, men ringing bells, and figures parading in formation’.[3] It was not until the later 1500s that miniaturised versions of astronomical clocks began to be made. Incredibly expensive, they were found throughout the royal courts of Europe. Like the larger versions, they were also highly complex and laden with detail. Production of these European clocks was highly regulated. For example, clock productions from Augsburg (an early clockmaking centre of Europe) were tightly controlled by its powerful guild, and the clockmaking guild in Germany was also ‘well-developed’. By way of contrast in London, where Vallin worked, there were no similar restrictions (it was not until 1631 that the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in London was chartered by King Charles I). The dial and its rings Vallin’s astrological table clock’s dial is original and features alternating gilt and silver rings, each finely engraved with numerals and various astronomical and astrological information. The outermost silver ring is a 24-hour chapter ring. It is engraved with Roman numerals, specifically I-XII, which appear twice around the circumference, as well as half- and quarter-hour markers. Inside the chapter ring is the 360° gilt annual calendar ring, which shows the position of the sun and the moon (as indicated by the gilt solar and silver lunar pointers, respectively, each of which is described below). The calendar ring also features the names of each month, as well as the numbers of days in each month by tens, for example for September 10, 20 and 30, and for July 10, 20 and 31. Inside the annual calendar ring is a silver solar-lunar ring which shows the positions of the sun and moon as they relate to the zodiac. On this ring, the zodiac is represented by engravings of the abbreviated zodiacal names, for example Aq. for Aquarius, and the zodiacal symbols for each month. Inside the solar-lunar ring is the gilt southing ring. This shows the distance travelled or measured southward in Arabic numerals. These numerals represent the age of the moon and the sun and can be used to calculate the difference between lunar and solar time. Attached to the ‘southing’ ring is a gilt solar pointer engraved with a figure of the sun. It rotates to indicate the position of the sun on the gilt annual calendar ring described above. Finally, the dial’s innermost gilt ring can be set to show the approximate times of high tide at a chosen location, such as London Bridge. In the centre of the dial is a silvered centre disc engraved with lines of the trines, quartiles and sextiles to facilitate astrological readings. These lines were used by astrologists in the creation and interpretation of birth charts. Within the centre disc is a circular aperture. As it rotates, it reveals the phase of the moon. The phases of the moon are engraved on a fixed disc below the aperture. Also attached to the centre disc is a silver lunar pointer engraved with a figure of the moon. The lunar pointer rotates with the moon phase. Emanating from the pierced centre of the disc is the blued-steel hour hand, which revolves once every 24 hours to show the time against the outermost silver chapter ring described above. The case and movement The clock’s gilt brass drum case with hinged lid is a later, purpose-built reproduction. The entirety of the case’s 360° band is decorated with pierced foliate engravings of birds, animals and foliage. The clock’s 30-hour movement is original. Its top and bottom gilt circular plates are held together by four turned-baluster pillars, each riveted into the top plate. Between the top plate and the dial is the motion work for driving the astronomical and calendrical indications. Inside the circular plates is the restored verge escapement and the gilt brass great wheel, which rotates once every two hours. Although Vallin made the gilt brass escape wheel as large as possible to increase accuracy, horologist and collector Dr John C Taylor explains (in the video accompanying this exhibit) that this clock was not a ‘true oscillator’, so it was not as reliable as it would have been had it had a balance spring. Mounted to the outside of the bottom plate is an ornately pierced, floral-engraved cock. It is held together with a horizontal pin. Under the cock is the steel balance wheel. In the bottom region of the plate, the maker’s signature is engraved. It reads NA Vallin. It is unclear whether or not the first initial of the signature is an M or an N with continuity into the V. This has been described as an ‘engraver’s foible’, and it is also seen on the signature of Vallin’s astronomical clock at the Science Museum in London (Object No. 1938-429). The circumference of the bottom plate is decorated with a scrolled border engraving with swirling leaves and flowers, which complements the design of the floral cock (described above). This clock was not designed for telling the time at a glance across the room. It was designed to be consulted closely and admired by an elite client. For a similar timepiece by Vallin, see his horizontal table clock made around 1595 and also known as the Cummer Vallin[4] and the small astronomical clock at the Science Museum (London) mentioned above. End Notes [1] Clutton and Daniels 1979, pls 66a–c; Darken 2003, 14–15; Jagger 1988, 31; Lloyd 1964, 182–184; Taylor and Wolfendale 2006, 3. [2] Plassmeyer 2019, 113–120, 197–199, 204–206, 210. [3] Plassmeyer 2019, 116. [4] Coming soon to Clocktime; Taylor et al. 2019, 8, Exhibit No.1:3; Carter 2022, 10–17, Catalogue No. 2. References Carter, J. 2022. The John C Taylor Collection: Part III (Selling Exhibition Catalogue, Carter Marsh & Co). Winchester: Carter Marsh & Co. Clutton, S. and G. Daniels. 1979. Watches: A complete history of the technical and decorative development of the watch (3rd edition). London: Sotheby Parke Bernet Publications. Darken, J. (editor). 2003. Horological Masterworks: English 17th century clocks from private collections. London: Antiquarian Horological Society. Jagger, C. 1988. The Artistry of the English Watch. London, Newton Abbot: David & Charles. Lloyd, H. Alan. 1964. The Collectors Dictionary of Clocks. New York, NY: A. S. Barnes & Co. Loomes, Brian. 2014. Clockmakers of Britain: 1286–1700. Mayfield, Ashbourne: Mayfield Books. Plassmeyer, P. 2019. ‘Scientific instruments as courtly objects’ in Making Marvels: Science and splendour at the courts of Europe. New York, NY: Metropolitan Museum of Art. Taylor, J. C. and K. Leith (with contributions by T. Phillipson). 2019. The Luxury of Time: Clocks from 1550–1750. Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd. Taylor, J. C. and A. Wolfendale. 2006. The Excitement of Time: John Harrison, the Royal Society and time measurement. Isle of Man: Fromanteel Ltd.
