The exhibition of the Novorossiysk Historical Museum-Reserve presents a grandfather clock made in the USA. Due to such an unusual long narrow case, such clocks were called “longcase clock”. The names “grandfather’s clock” or “floor clock” were less common.
In English, the name “grandfather clock” is widespread because of the popular song composed in 1876 by Henry Clay Wark. The song was about a grandfather clock, which was bought on grandfather’s birthday, accompanied him throughout his life and stopped at the hour of his death. To classify such clocks in England, the following terms are still used: “grandfather clock” — a clock of considerable size, more than 190 cm high; “grandmother clock” —150–190 cm high; and “granddaughter clock” — up to 150 cm high.
Grandfather clocks have excellent accuracy, therefore, until the beginning of the 20th century, all other clocks in the house were usually set using them. By regularly ticking and especially striking, such clocks always created a cozy atmosphere, which allowed to escape from the hustle and bustle of the world outside.
The clock on display was brought from Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) by a motorized rifle division that was relocated to Novorossiysk in 1947 and took part in the assault on Königsberg in 1945. At first, they were at the headquarters of the division. Then clock was handed over to the mayor of Novorossiysk V.G. Prokhorenko, who donated them to the museum in 1999.
This is a classic “grandfather clock” which has a case with a narrow wooden trunk 230 cm high. The case has three clearly distinctive parts. The upper part, where the mechanism and the dial are located, is decorated with a strict semicircular pediment. The golden dial has black Arabic numerals and three hands: black hour and minute ones and a red hand for seconds. For added security, the clock door on the right panel can be locked. The so-called “barrel” with glass front and side panels, in which there is a pendulum made of yellow metal and a weight (the second weight is lost). The trunk rests on a base-pedestal.
In English, the name “grandfather clock” is widespread because of the popular song composed in 1876 by Henry Clay Wark. The song was about a grandfather clock, which was bought on grandfather’s birthday, accompanied him throughout his life and stopped at the hour of his death. To classify such clocks in England, the following terms are still used: “grandfather clock” — a clock of considerable size, more than 190 cm high; “grandmother clock” —150–190 cm high; and “granddaughter clock” — up to 150 cm high.
Grandfather clocks have excellent accuracy, therefore, until the beginning of the 20th century, all other clocks in the house were usually set using them. By regularly ticking and especially striking, such clocks always created a cozy atmosphere, which allowed to escape from the hustle and bustle of the world outside.
The clock on display was brought from Königsberg (now Kaliningrad) by a motorized rifle division that was relocated to Novorossiysk in 1947 and took part in the assault on Königsberg in 1945. At first, they were at the headquarters of the division. Then clock was handed over to the mayor of Novorossiysk V.G. Prokhorenko, who donated them to the museum in 1999.
This is a classic “grandfather clock” which has a case with a narrow wooden trunk 230 cm high. The case has three clearly distinctive parts. The upper part, where the mechanism and the dial are located, is decorated with a strict semicircular pediment. The golden dial has black Arabic numerals and three hands: black hour and minute ones and a red hand for seconds. For added security, the clock door on the right panel can be locked. The so-called “barrel” with glass front and side panels, in which there is a pendulum made of yellow metal and a weight (the second weight is lost). The trunk rests on a base-pedestal.
