Floor clock (one of a pair)

The floor clock (forming a pair with the Wil.932 clock) is housed in a three-part high cabinet, typical of English longcase clocks of the early 18th century.

The overlapping hood topped with a semi-circle, with a half-dome decorated with a pinnacle, with a glazed door and two side peep-holes houses the mechanism with the dial. The slender cabinet shaft, also with a door and a high pedestal on four legs, is the place for the long pendulum and weights. The outer surfaces of the cabinet, painted navy blue, are decorated with a rich gilded ribbon and band ornament, with acanthus elements imitating marquetry compositions.

The clock mechanism has a weight drive, a hook catch, a long, heavy pendulum on a steel pendant. There is a separate drive for the clock and calendar mechanism, a separate drive for the striking of half-hours and hours on a single bell with a comb system. A pinwheel strike regulator increases precision, while a repetition mechanism allows the striking of the last hour to be heard. On the dial, the clock indicates the seconds (in Arabic numerals) on a small separate silvered ring. On the large silvered ring the minutes (Arabic numerals), hours (Roman numerals) and half-hours (lily signs) are indicated. Calendar days are shown in Arabic numerals in a small square hole below the axis. In the sub-circle there is a digital indication of the synodic month (1-29 ½, 1-29 ½) and a pictorial indication of the phases of the moon A pair of clocks in the 18th century inventory of the Wilanów Palace was registered in the White Hall.

AK