Cabinet clock mechanism

The demand for clocks led to the development of watchmaking, i.e. the craft of making, repairing and maintaining clocks, in England, France, Germany and the Netherlands at the turn of the 14th/15th century. From the 18th century onwards, the first manufactories were established, and at the beginning of the 19th century also clock-making factories. This type of craft developed equally intensively in West Pomerania. Casper Nitard, an 18th century court craftsman from Szczecin, born in Drawsko Pomorskie, holds a special place in the history of local watchmaking. In 1693, to commemorate the victory of Swedes in the war with Brandenburg, he made a Baroque clock, designed by Johann von Goethe, which was placed in the Clock Tower of the Pomeranian Dukes' Castle. He also made a cabinet clock, which is now in the collection of the National Museum in Szczecin. This object was purchased in 1995, thanks to the financial assistance of the Society of Friends of Szczecin, from Mr and Mrs Szumowski, at whose house in Choszczno it was found.

Anna Lew-Machniak