Disc-type wall clock

This wall clock, known as a disc clock, because of its shape, is the work of a famous clockmaker from Gdańsk, active in the first half of the 18th century. Its round dial consists of a brass ring, on which the hours are engraved with Roman numerals, the half-hours with schematic lilies between the hours, the quarters of an hour with lines on the inner edge of the ring, and one open-work hand (not original). The central field of the dial is decorated with a relief gilded biblical scene, depicting the rescue of Moses as an infant by the Pharaoh’s daughter. The shield is topped with an open-work in the shape of a crescent, with the coat of arms of Gdańsk set among floral ornaments, supported by two lions; above it there is a simple pendant.

The clock mechanism is placed from behind in a round metal box. Below it there is a bell. On the dial, close to the axis of the hands, there are two spring tension holes for the compensating fusee-wheel movement and the hour strike, with a balance and a spindle winding. The hours are being stricken by a ratchet wheel.

The disc wall clock supplements the Wilanów clock collection with another type of mechanism and its setting, which were part of the interior furnishings of 18th century palaces.

AK